Ori And The Dragon In The Will Of The Wisps

by Dragonfan101

Rating: everyone
Tags: Crossover, Alternate Universe, Sad, Main 6, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Spike, Other, Adventure, Tragedy
Length: 40889

Months after Spike met Ori and helped her save the forest and Kuro, they are separated from they're little sister Ku in a strange land

Taking place months after Spike was called by the Spirit tree to save the forest of Nibel, Spike has been becoming quite used to his new life. But he still feels worried as he has now become a hybrid of a dragon and Spirit guardian, and he feels afraid that he may lose himself. His fears of losing himself may come to be. because after he, Ori and they're new little sister Ku go on a flight, they are separated from him from a storm. Spike and Ori awaken in a new land called Niwen and they go on a journey to find Ku and save this new land from a terrifying threat.

Meanwhile the main 6 and two dragons, Garble and Smolder are sent to Nibel to try to find they're missing friend, while Garble is seeking to make up for what he did, with his sister Smolder seeking to help as well. but this may all come down when they see that Spike and Ori are out in a new dangerous place and they fear they all may never get they're chance to see him again...

Published 2023-10-07 04:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2024-09-01 18:21:17 UTC

Interlude: Beginning The Search

Months had passed by since Spike disappeared from Equestria, it was only with the help of the Dragon Lord Torch and they're rulers Celestia and Luna, that they were able to find out what happened to him.

If only she had been there to save him, Twilight and her friends along with many other dragons including Torch, they had witnessed Spike's journey through the land of Nibel.

They saw him dying only to be brought back thanks to the miracle of the Spirit Tree. And they watched his journey, from him meeting a Spirit named Ori. To all the places in the forest they went to.. and his corruption.

Spike had absorbed too much light from Ancestral trees during the journey, his body continued to be more and more covered with light. Twilight had prayed there would be a way for him to be saved from it.. but it didn't happen.

Spike was consumed by it and his body completely changed. he became a hybrid between a Dragon and Spirit Guardian, and according to what Sein said during the adventure.. he can't turn back.

Twilight hasn't been able to do well during the time waiting to get to Nibel. She hadn't been able to do her duty's as the Princess Of Friendship that well, and her friends had been trying to help her but she couldn't help but worry for Spike.

When she told him that destiny comes when they least expect it, her words were right. As she did not expect him to vanish not 10 minutes after she told him that.

Even though everything looked perfectly fine after the adventure with Spike and Ori being together.. she still felt worried for him... she felt like something was gonna happen.. that would never have them see eachother again.

Twilight never stopped her worries for Spike, she practically raised him as his mother, no matter what happened between them, she always loved Spike like a son. And because of the exchange she made with Torch in order to find Spike to have him be given a pair of guardian dragons when they get him back.. she felt like she was losing him even more.

Yes, she did say she would be fine with him leaving her one day.. but to have it happen so soon, and Spike being taken away from them all in such a short time, its just too much for her right now.

During the time after they saw Spike's journey, Twilight and her friends had been getting ready for this journey to find him, Equestria had settled down after that huge lightshow that took Spike away, they didn't know what it was but Twilight and her friends new. Twilight had been waiting day after day for this spell the princesses and Torch were working on in order to take them there.

Of all the people to be coming with them to help find Spike, she had never expected Garble, the dragon who had been picking on him for quite a bit, to volunteer alongside a sister named Smolder who he had, even though she still wasn't fully trusting of him, she could really see the remorse he feels for what he did. He even had been trying to help around the place with his sister to show they truly mean well.

But she could tell not even that could help Garble fully forgive himself, and she thinks he won't until Spike says it's okay and he forgives him.. she had hoped that this would all turn out okay in the end but had a bad feeling something was about to happen to Spike... something bad.

Twilight was currently with her friends and Garble and Smolder at a restaurant having some food and discussing what to do about they're current problem.

"So what are we going to do first when we get there?" Fluttershy asked worried.
" I think the best idea to have is to either find the family Spike's been living with or the Spirit tree to get some information" Twilight suggested and they all nodded at that.

"That sounds like a proper place to start, Garble and i can help track him thanks to our senses" Smolder suggested and Garble nodded but he still felt unsure of it.
"That could work.. but we all should remember that he isn't fully dragon anymore and his scent could be completely different" Garble informed them.

" Can't your kind track down almost anything?" Rainbow dash asked curious.
"Not everything, unless our kind has a clear scent, we may not be able to find what we're looking for" Smolder explained and they nodded in understanding, they all then noticed Twilight was looking worried still.

"Twilight i know your worried for him, we all are too, but if we can't properly figure out a plan, it will only make things more difficult." Applejack told her.
"I know.. it's just.. i'm getting a really bad feeling, like somethings gonna happen to Spike soon.. and we won't be able to see him again." Twilight replied and they all looked worried as she said that.

"Don't think like that Twilight, you saw how happy they were when the journey was over. What could have you worried?" Pinkie asked, but Garble sighed at that.
" It's been months since that incident happened, anything could be happening at this place right now, Twilight's worries are completely justified given we don't know what's going on" Garble told them.

"He's right girls, anything could be happening, and we may be to late to find out what's going on if we don't hurry." Twilight said agreeing with Garble.
"Don't worry, i know things will be fine.. they have too" Smolder said trying to make them feel better but she herself felt something was wrong.

Before they could continue talking, a letter appeared before them and Twilight opened it.
"It's a letter from Celestia, she, Luna and Torch have finally gotten a spell that will send us to Nibel." Twilight explained and they're eyes widened.

"Really?!" Rarity asked hopefully.
"It's about time!" Rainbow dash said happy at that.
"they want us to meet them at the Dragon Lands right now." Twilight informed them.

"Well what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Garble said getting up as the others did as well, Twilight payed the check very quickly and then used her magic to teleport them all away.
"What, no tip?" The waiter asked a little upset at that

They all appeared in a flash of light and looked around and saw they were in the Dragon Lands again.
"I must admit, i'm jealous of the lifestyle you all have back there." Smolder said looking at the place.
"Yeah.. i'm grateful for that too, they're waiting for us at Torch's throne, let's go." Twilight said moving ahead and they all followed along.

They continued to walk like this seeing the familiar barren wasteland that the Dragons lived in, Smolder then looked at her brother and noticed he was upset.
"Hey, you okay Garble?" Smolder asked worried.
"No.. the kids out there somewhere, and if what Twilight's saying is true.. i'm afraid i'll never make up for what i did.. and i won't ever forgive myself for it." Garble said worried, Smolder then placed her claw on his shoulder.
"It will be okay, we'll find him and you two can sort things out.. i just hope he's okay' Smolder said worried, even though she hadn't met him in person, she still felt worried for him even after the adventure they went through.
"Yeah.. me too" Garble replied as they came upon the three rulers.

"Twilight, i'm so glad you and your friends could make it here so quickly." Celestia said relieved.
"Forgive us for taking so long, but this spell was hard to properly figure out." Luna explained
"Yes, it was hard to find a spell that could travel this far, even with my scepters power." Torch said agreeing.

"It's okay, what matters is you all got it now, is everything ready?" Fluttershy asked
"Yes, but what we're wondering is, are you all ready? this will be a long journey." Celestia asked them
"We've been preparing for this for months, i've got plenty of supplies for us for the journey, you all ready?" Twilight asked and they nodded, Torch then looked down at Garble and Smolder.

"Are you two sure you wanna do this, there are other dragons willing to go if your not wanting to." Torch asked.
"Of course we are Lord Torch! We've been ready for this for months now? Right?" Smolder asked looking at Garble, he was hesitant but nodded in agreement ready as well.
"Very well.. just bring him back safely you two." He ordered and they bowed in respect, Celestia then walked up to Twilight.

"Twilight, be careful, i hope you have a safe journey, here, this scroll will give you the information you need to come back when your all done" Celestia said giving her a scroll and Twilight took it.
"Thank you Celestia, we won't let you down." Twilight said determined.

"We know you will, are you all ready?" Luna asked and everyone nodded ready to go.
"Very well. Brace yourselves for this." Torch said holding out the scepter while Celestia and Luna charged up they're magic.

They shot three beams that collided with eachother and turned into one beam and went to them, they were all engulfed in a large wave of energy and in a bright flash of light they all vanished and were teleported away.

"It is done." Torch said as he looked at the spot where they once remained.
"I just hope they're journey goes well" Celestia prayed.
"I'm sure it will sister, i mean it's not like we're gonna get any worrying news right?" Luna asked nervously and Torch and Luna both looked at her with straight faces.
"Really sister?" Celestia asked upset.
"You should never ever ask something like that." Torch explained, Luna then remembered what happened the last time she asked that.
"Oh.." Luna said in realization.

As if what she asked was granted, they all heard a really loud screech surprising them all.
"What was that?" Luna asked.
"I don't know.. but it sounded.. familiar?" Celestia asked, Torch looked around to find where that sound came from and his eyes widened.
"There!" He said pointing in the sky, they all looked to where he was pointing and they all saw a large familiar bird.
"Sister isn't that?" Luna asked shocked.
"Kuro.." Torch and Celestia both said shocked as well as they saw her flying around.

We cut to a forest, everything seems peaceful and normal, but it is suddenly interrupted when a bright flash shines around the area, and when the flash dies down we find Twilight and the others had arrived.

"Is this the place?" Rainbow dash asked looking around.
" I think so." Twilight replied looking around as well, they all noticed a cliff of somekind and they walked up to it, and when they got to the edge they all looked in awe as they saw a huge tree a ball of light in the top.

"Is this?" Smolder asked shocked.
"It is.." Garble replied as we cut to a view of the forest.
"The land of Nibel" They all said looking at the place and things fade to black.

Author's Note

Hey guys hope you liked this new chapter! Sorry i didn't update yesterday, i had a family birthday i needed to go to, because i like to spend time with my family whenever i get the chance.

I think we can all agree that the redemption Garble had was way to rushed and completely out of nowhere for a lot of us, if his redemption was like Pacifica's from Gravity Falls where he would become kinder from each episode he was in , it would have been better, as of now.. it was completely rushed. I'll try to have him redeem himself much better in this story and i hope you all don't mind this. Thank you all for reading this chapter and i hope you look forward to what's next and i'll see you next time!

1: A New Place

Spike and Ori's body's are seen laying on the ground unconscious, some strange cat like creatures start to come out from around them, one of them walks up to them and is about to touch them. but it is then interrupted when a loud roar is heard scarring them away.

Spike and Ori both groan as they open they're eyes.

"oh what happened?" Spike asked confused.
" Where.. are we..?" Ori asked before they both remember what happened"

"KU!" They both said at once and got up looking around worried.

' KU!!" They both shouted trying to get a response, but all they got was nothing but the sound of the rain as it was still a storm out there.

"Where is he?" Spike asked worried.
"I don't know, but we have to find him.." Ori said worried as well, she then noticed Spike was breathing heavily.

"This.. can't be happening... i knew i had a reason for worry" Spike said worried.
"I'm sorry Spike.. i should have taken more concern with what you talked about.." Ori replied regretfully.

"I promised Kuro.. that i'd keep him safe.." Spike said still trying to process this.
"Don't worry Spike, we'll find him. he has to be around here somewhere." Ori said looking around.

"Yeah.. he has to be.. let me try to get a higher look at where... we are" Spike said before looking at his wings and seeing they're condition, they were crumbled up looked really roughed up, Spike tried to fly a little but he fell on the ground.

"Great.. now i can't fly again.. and i just got these." Spike said getting up and looking back at them sadly.
"Looks like we'll have to look around the old fashioned way, let's just start by taking a look around." Ori suggested
"Yeah.. your right.. let's head get going." Spike agreed and they started to head off.

They started off by heading up a steep cliff, the wall jumped up it to get up there and went forward, they noticed a small area down the place and went to check it out and they found a spirit light container which may help them later.

The area around them wasn't like the forest from before.. lightning kept on flashing above them as the rain fell, making them wanna hurry faster.

"What is this place..?" Spike asked worried looking around.
"I don't know.. but i have a bad feeling about this place." Ori said worried as well, before they could talk more after they jumped on a fallen tree the tree broke and they went falling down a little and landed on the ground.

"Ow.. what is going on here?" Ori asked getting up.
"I don't know.. but i saw something weird around that large tree when we flew in here." Spike said getting up as well.
"What do you think that was? That looked like the Spirit tree..." Ori asked remembering what they saw.
"Might be a relative to it or something.. if that's the case.. then finding Ku's not the only thing we'll have to worry about." Spike said worried.
"Well the sooner we find out what's going on the better, let's get going." Ori told him.
" Your right on that, let's go" Spike said as they left again.

They continued to run further down the place, they dropped through some branches and went through some old caves, they kept going down a little more until they found a lit up fireplace nearby and they walked up to it.

"This looks like.. an old structure?" Spike asked looking at it.
"How is this fire still up even after this storm?" Ori asked confused.
" Maybe it was lit up recently, let's take a torch with us." Spike said taking a branch and lighting it with the fire.
"Good idea, let's try to find something we can use this for." Ori suggested, Spike nodded in agreement and went off to find something while the cat creatures from before looked on confused.

The torch they found was able to help them fight off some strange monsters as they continued on, they continued to head down further until they used that torch to burn down branches blocking a path, they went up some more walls and went up a little before jumping down and they saw there was a strange bird like person up ahead. Spike hesitantly walked up to it with Ori right behind.

"Excuse me sir? Do you happen to know where we are?" Spike asked still hesitant, he then noticed them.
"Squork ! What are you two supposed to be? Not a Moki clearly" He said looking at them.
"We're just trying to find our little brother we got lost from, do you know what this place is?" Ori asked.

"Not even from Niwen are you two? i've visited most lands near and far, but i've never seen your kind before, travel across the seas i presume?" He asked and they nodded.
"Yes, we got caught up in the storm and were separated from our little brother, have you seen a little owl guy nearby here? Spike asked.

"No i haven't i'm sorry, my names Tokk, i'm a wanderer on these parts, i'm taking shelter from the storm myself. if you two are wanting to find this little friend of yours, go further ahead and you'll fine a spirit gate nearby, i found this door fragment while i was moving around this place, there's another one near the cave at the west , but acquiring it is for someone more nimble then myself what do you say? " He offered

"Don't worry sir, we'll find that stone right away." Spike told him.
"You just wait here while we search for it." Ori told him, he nodded in understanding and moved out of the way for them to continue further.

The next keystone wasn't to far ahead, they only had to jump up another wall and head forwards a little bit, they jumped over some more hanging logs and headed down a steep cliff.

"Man, i hope this is worth it." Spike said hopefully.
"It will, don't worry Spike" Ori told him as they continued.

They soon came upon a large area and before looking around, a strange monster came out of the bushes and roared at them, Spike and Ori used the torch they had to fight it off to defend themselves, once the creature was done a strange door opened from behind them.

"This feels familiar.." Spike said looking at it.
"Just have to wonder how far we'll have to go to find this thing.." Ori asked as they continued.

They walked into a waterfall of sorts and the fire on they're torch went out because of it, they then used this strange glowing grass to crawl upwards to a higher space, they jumped to another part of it and continued to climb higher, they reached the top of the area and used the strange grass again to crawl up to a ledge and they found the keystone at the top.

"Great, now all we have to do is bring it back to Tokk" Ori said as she grabbed it.
" Great, let's go!" Spike said as they made they're way back. They used the strange grass to crawl up the ceiling and avoid some monsters they went back down the path and found Tokk where they previously saw him and showed him the stone.

"Ah, your back! And is that the keystone i see? here's one more for your trouble. i am a bird of my word hnn? He said as he gave them the extra stone piece.

"Thank you so much for this sir, we really appreciate this!" Ori said gratefully.
"Thank you for this, really" Spike said taking the stone.

" Now i continue my wonderings through Niwen's wonders.. before we lose anymore, and you can carry on with finding this brother of yours, good luck." He told them and they nodded and went off.

"What did he mean by losing more wonders?" Ori ask worried.
"I have a feeling we're about to find out." Spike said as they continued, they headed back up the cliff they came down from and went up to the door, but when they did they felt the ground shake and heard a really loud growl.

"What was that?!" Ori asked scarred holding Spike close
"I don't know.. let's keep our guards up." Spike said as they used the keystones and opened the door. They hopped over some large bodies of water over some logs and found a life orb before continuing further, they then jumped off and landed in the middle of the place.

"What is this place?" Ori asked looking around
"I don't know but i have a.." He was about to finish when they felt the ground shake again surprising them, just then a large wolf creature came down from the entrance and roared at them.

"What is that?!" Ori asked scarred.
"I don't know, but all i know is we need to RUN!" Spike said grabbing Ori's hand and they ran away from the creature.

The creature charged for them trying to snap its jaws on them, it tore through anything that was in its way as they tried to escape, they went through an open hole and went down some branches, the creature tore them down as it tried to attack them, they climbed up a wall to try to escape it but were sent ahead a little once it hit them, and they landed near another lit up fireplace.

"This should help!" Spike said grabbing the torch from earlier and lighting it, and Ori got her own as well, they then swinged the fire at the creature right before it attacked them.

"Back off beast!: Spike said with anger as he and Ori raised they're torches, the creature roared at them in anger and tried to attack them again. They did they're best to fight it off landing as many hits as they could when the time was right, they almost got hurt more a few times from some wrong swings but were able to dodge it. They gave it a few more swings before it finally backed off and ran away leaving them alone.

"You okay Ori?" Spike asked worried.
"Yea, are you?" Ori asked looking at him
" I'm good, what was that?" Spike asked looking back to where the monster was.
" I don't know, but i just hope we won't have more trouble with it again." Ori said hopefully.
"Me too, let's just continue on to find Ku." Spike suggested, Ori agreed with him on that and they went off to find him.

They went back the way they came from and looked around the place.
"Are these... houses?" Spike asked looking at the structures in the trees.
"I wonder who lives here, maybe the Moki, Tokk talked about?" Ori asked.
"Could be, lets keep going and try to find out." Spike said as they continued moving.

They continued to move down a steep cliff again and they then fell into a new place called the Howl's Den, they looked around and saw just how many bones there were.
"So many.." Ori said scarred.
"How long has this creature been doing this?" Spike asked looking around scarred as well, they both decided to keep moving to find a way out of the place, they went up more ledges and ran through the place, they stopped once they saw a familiar light.

"Is that?" Ori asked surprised.
"An Ancestral Tree?" Spike asked looking down, they saw a large tree with a familiar light just like the ones back in Nibel, they then jumped down to get a closer look at it.

"What is this doing here? I thought these were only found in Nibel?" Spike asked looking at the thing.
"I thought so too, these come from fallen spirit guardians.. so maybe there were some lost here.." Ori asked but soon regretted saying that.
" Maybe so, just wonder how long it's been here" Spike asked as they looked at it, they both felt the light call to them and looked at eachother.

"Do you wanna?" Spike asked.
"Are you sure? What if something happens like last time?" Ori asks worried for him.
"I've become a hybrid at this point, i think this light won't be much concern for me anymore... right?" Spike asked.
"I hope that's the case, you ready?" She asked.
"Let's do it then." Spike said cautiously as they walked up to it.

Like what happened in Nibel, they started to float around in the air as the light absorbed into them, they felt power surge through them as the light came to them, the power may have been to much though because once it was done they passed out as things cut to black again.

Author's Note

Hey guys hope you liked this chapter! Thank you all for reading this chapter and i hope you liked it.

I just wanna say a small word to the people who are disliking this story, i just want you all to know that i'm sorry if you don't like what your reading so far and i hope you can forgive me. when you dislike the story it feels like a punch to the gut, as a writer i want to make the story the best it can be. if you have a problem with the story right now, please comment down below letting me know what your problems is, and i can go back and make edits to make it more to your liking, i want to make the story the best it can be so please let me know. Thank you for understanding this and once again please tell me what you don't like and i can fix it, thank you all and have a nice day.

2: A New Power

"As An Ancient Light awakened.." The voice speaks as we cut to a foggy day back in Nibel.

"Naru and Gumo sought through the night" It says as we see Naru calling out for Spike, Ori and Ku worried for them. Gumo comes up to her sadly as she cries as they think they are lost, but they soon see the fog clear up in the distance as they see a new land they have never seen before.. Before they could they saw a large light flash in the forest nearby surprising them.

"What was that?" Naru asked curious.
"I don't know, let us be careful as we investigate it." Gumo said as they went to where that light came from.

We cut to the sun shining back in the land, Spike and Ori's body's are seen unconscious still from the sudden power surge, the small creatures from before gather around to see what they are, they both groan as they open they're eyes.

"What happened?" Ori asks confused.
"I think we absorbed the light of another tree?" Spike asked trying to recall what happened last night, just then one of the creatures came up to them curiously.

" You two are not like the others." It told them," The shrinker!" One spoke." The howler!" Another one said in the background.

"Others?" Spike asked confused.
"What do you mean by that?" Ori asked curious.

" In both of you now shines an Ancient Light, the tree remembered." The cat creature explained," It knowed!" Another said," It glowed!" Another said as well.

"Ancient light?" Spike asked confused.
"What does that mean?" Ori asked looking at the tree.

"It has shared it's memory with you two" It explained, suddenly the two of them felt a sudden light urge within them, they looked at themselves shocked as they felt it.

"i can feel it.." Spike said amazed.
"It feels.. different" Ori said amazed as well.

"Now show us, we want to see the light as well!" The creature said eager as he and the others went in the bushes.

"Well, you wanna try this out or what?" Spike asked.
"Yeah, let's try it." Ori agreed as they walked up ahead a little and saw a blocked path, they both focused the light into they're hands and from that light a sword emerged!

"Whoa.." Spike said as he held it in his hands
"This makes me feel.. strong" Ori said looking at hers as well, they both then looked at the branches and swung they're swords at it, they cut through the whole thing in just a few swings.

"This is sharp!" Spike said amazed.
"At least we'll be able to defend ourselves better now" Ori said as she looked amazed as well, they then looked at the path ahead.

"Looks like this will help us get out of here, ready?" Spike asked.
"Of course, let's go." Ori replied as they went through the cave.

They proceeded to slash they're way through a couple enemy's to get used to they're new power, then they wall jumped a little to get to a higher area, they slashed upwards whenever an enemy came near them to give them an opening, they then platformed they're way more to reach the exit, they took down another barrier and found a strange crystal that had them feel another strange power inside.

"What is this?" Ori asked curious.
" I don't know, maybe those creatures will have a better knowledge when we see them again." Spike suggested as they put it away and continued on. after a few more slashing, they took landed down on the ground before they saw the tree and went back a little, just then the creatures from before came out before them.

" The light listens to you two, you must be spirits after all!" one of them said amazed,
"Actually.. i'm sort of a hybrid.." Spike said trying to explain, they looked confused by that.
"Hybrid, but you look so similar to the other ones, hard to tell the difference" It said as it looked at Spike, Spike looked at himself and sighed sadly as he was starting to feel down.

"sorry about that, we are Moki, we had thought all the spirits had gone from Niwen" it explained to them," Gone away.." One said ominously," So long spirits.." Another one said again.

"What do you mean, gone away?" Spike asked curious.
"There are other spirits then just the ones in Nibel?" Ori asked curious.

"If you two seek someone for answers, we know a finder" The Moki explained," The great one!" One said again," Great and mossy." Another explained.

" Go to the Guardian of the Marsh" It told them.
"Kwolok will help you two find the way." The Moki explained.

"Thank you for this, we'll keep a look out for him" Ori thanked, Spike then remembered something and pulled out the shard from earlier.

"Do you happen to know what this is?" Spike asks holding it.
"Oh! A spirit shard! Rare, but they give one ability's depending on what power it holds." The Moki explained

"Spirit shard?" Spike asked.
"Special power?" Ori asked confused as well.
"Find more of these, and you'll get to do amazing things!" It told them, and they nodded in understanding at that.

"Thank you for telling us this" Spike said gratefully
"Yes, we really appreciate it, thank you" Ori said with a smile.
"Good luck spirits!" They all said before hiding back away leaving them alone, Spike put it away and sighed sadly.

"You okay Spike?" Ori asked worried for her friend.
"No.. what they said.. about me being a spirit.. looking like you do.. it makes me feel.." Spike said trying to explain but he couldn't find the words.
"It's okay, i'm here for you" Ori said putting a hand on his shoulder, he then sighed again.

"I just feel.. like i'm starting to lose myself.. and that this adventure.. will change me completely forever.." Spike said afraid of what's to come.
"I'm afraid of things too Spike, even after what happened in Nibel, i still don't feel strong enough, but now our little brother Ku is out there.. alone and afraid, and he needs our help" Ori told him.

"And if we don't find him..." Spike said scared
"We can't let that happen, if we don't hurry now, we may never find him." Ori said worried.. Spike then sighed again and looked up.

"I don't care what the future holds right now, let's focus on finding our brother." Spike said determined
"Your right, let's find this guardian the Moki talked about" Ori said getting up.
"Your right, let's go." Spike said as they ran off to find they're answers.

Back and Nibel, Gumo and Naru were carefully making they're way to the light they saw appear, once they were in the area they started to hear voices and hid in nearby bushes, we then cut to Twilight and the others as they discussed what to do.

"So where do we start with this?" Rainbow dash asked.
"Well, we could start by trying to find that home Spike's been living in, he could be there right now" Twilight suggested, they all nodded in agreement at that, Gumo had been trying to listen closer but he couldn't understand them, then he accidently snapped a branch and they turned they're heads in that direction.

"What was that?" Smolder asked worried.
"Don't know, it came from over there" Applejack said pointing at the bush, they all proceeded to cautiously walk up to it, Gumo and Naru felt really afraid of what they wanted to do, Gumo accidently fell over and they're eyes widened as they saw him.

"Hey.. isn't that?" Rarity asked as she recognized him, he was backing away really scarred with Naru scarred as well, Fluttershy then walked up to them to calm them down.

"it's okay.. we're not going to hurt you, we're just trying to find our friend." Fluttershy said as they all held they're hands in the air meaning they meant they don't want to hurt them. They both couldn't understand them still and looked confused.

"I don't think they understand us, it may have only been Spike that could thanks to that light" Fluttershy suggested.
"Well how do we get them to help us find Spike?" Garble asked curious, Twilight then got an idea and walked up to them.

She then took out a photo of her and Spike together with her magic and pointed her hoof at Spike.
"we're looking for him, do you happen to know where he is?" Twilight asked pointing at Spike, they both looked at eachother and looked down sadly as they realized what they were trying to tell them, they both shook their heads sadly.

"Why, is he not here?" Twilight asked worried, Gumo then got up and motioned them to follow him, they followed him for a bit until they came upon the view from earlier and pointed at the land in the distance.
"You think he's there?" Applejack asked and they both nodded .
"How did they get there?" Pinkie asked curious, Gumo then tried to explain by flapping his hands around like wings and they're eyes widened.

"They flew there?" Twilight asked curious.
"Then does that mean... Spike can fly now?" Fluttershy asked shocked.
"I'm shocked he went through his molting face so soon, i don't think it should have happened for another year or so" Smolder said recalling what he looked like from the vision, they all regained focus and looked back at the land.

"Well in other ways, we may be able to find them, let's help these two get over there, Spike may be with that Spirit named Ori as well, i just hope they're okay." Twilight said hopefully. They will all see him soon, before something prevents them from doing so..

Author's Note

Hey guys hope you liked this new chapter! I know it may feel a little shorter in terms of story compared from my last ones, but i wanted to take the time before the adventure gets going, i want to help set up things that could be better developed in the future so i hope you don't mind.

Again, for anyone who may be disliking the story so far, please comment down low stating your problems and i can go back and make changes to make them better for you all, like i said as a writer i want to make the story the best it can be, so please leave me your thoughts down below, thank you.

Thank you all for reading this chapter again, and i'll start getting further into the story starting with the next chapter, hope you look forward to it and i'll see you next time!

3: Some Extra Exploring

Spike and Ori proceeded to head through this new place, they started off by going down a small ledge that was just below them, they fought through more enemy's with they're new power as they continued forwar.

"Man, no offense to Sein, but i think she's been replaced." Spike said as he slashed down another monster.
"Yeah, this is way more affective then the last time we had to fight" Ori replied as they got going again.

They kept going until they saw a log tied to ropes, they saw a large rock right next to it and got the same idea, they pulled it over to the log and used it's height to get to the higher ledge.

"just like old times huh?" Spike asked.
"Yeah.. real sense of deja vu here." Ori replied as they went down. They continued to go forward some more until they came upon a open room, the ground shook as the door closed behind them, more monsters then came out to them and roared.

"This again?" Spike asked.
"Things never change i guess" Ori said as they pulled out they're swords and charged at them.

The two proceeded to fight through the enemy's again taking out each one until none were left, they both looked up and saw the door ahead had opened again.

"Guess we should expect more things like this soon huh?" Spike asked.
"Guess, we should, let's keep going." Ori said as they kept on moving. They kept on going down more and more until they came upon a familiar light yet again.

"Another one?" Ori asked as they see another Ancestral tree.
"Just how many more spirits were there?" Spike asked as they walked up to it.
"Don't know, but i have a strange feeling about this place." Ori said as they came up to it.

They both proceeded to absorb the light again as they landed back on the ground, they both felt the new power in them and jumped in the air, they then jumped a second time and landed back on the ground.

"Huh, the double jump, good to have this back." Spike said as he tried it again.
"Why did we lose our old ability's again?" Ori asked.
"I think they faded away after some time, hopefully these will last though." Spike said hopefully, they both decided to get going again back to the top.

This new ability was able to help them jump to higher areas much easier then before, they jumped over a few more platforms and thorns before ended up back at the top again. they kept on going to the right using they're double jump to cross large gaps again until they came upon something familar.

"A spirit well? Here?" Spike asked as they walked up to it, the Moki then came out of the bushes and came up to them.

" The light from the wells run all through Niwen." It explained." It joins, it heals!" Another one said as they walked away.

"well guess it can't hurt to recover for a few" Spike said.
"Looks in good condition, let's just make it quick" Ori said as they walked up to it. They entered the well and floated around for a few seconds before landing on the ground.

"Wow, i forgot how great that feels" Spike says relieved.
"Yeah, me too. it's great to relax every now and then." Ori says relieved as they walk out.

They proceeded to move down some more and find a lever, they then pull it as they hear something move down.
"That might have been the log from earlier." Spike suggested.
"wonder where it leads?" Ori asked curious, they both decide to go find out and make they're way back.

They make they're way back to the place and jump down to the bottom of it, they see a purple energy beam firing near them and get an idea to use the boulder, they push it till it's completely blocked and jump up to the ledge, they find a door fragment.

"Great.." Spike says as he puts it away.
"There must be more around here then, let's look for it." Ori suggests as they head back.

They climb all the way back up to the top before and went back the way they came, they head back into the Howl's den and be careful as they move around, they jump up a ledge and another rock that led to a higher area and find the next fragment, they head back down and use it to open the door.

"Glad that was easier then most things here" Spike said thankfully.
"I think things are gonna get tougher as we go, let's be careful" Ori told him, they both then proceeded to head into the place.

They jumped over some poisonous water and head up the walls, they found an extra room nearby and find a life cell fragment for later, they went back more and headed up the walls more until they came out of the den, after crushing a few walls made of bones, they climbed up higher and higher until they finally got out of the den.

"Finally, glad we got out of that mess" Spike said as they found themselves at the top again.
"I'm just glad we didn't run into that monster again." Ori said thankfully as they continued.

They continued once again to the top, after helping a Moki get a fang from the monster, he gave them an ore that could be used for later. they headed back up again using they're new power, they headed down another path they found which led to another ancestral tree yet again.

"Wow, not even 30 minutes from the last one and here we are finding another!" Spike said looking at the thing.
"I wonder just how many perished here.. and how long they've been like this.." Ori asked sadly.
"Me too Ori, let's just hope we can put them all to rest peacefully" Spike prayed as they walk up to it.

They absorb the light yet again as they get a new power, this time they could regenerate they're health at the cost of some spirit energy.

"This will definitely come in handy." Spike said as he tested it out and reformed a little health.
" It definitely will, let's keep on going, i think we're near the exit" Ori suggested as they made they're way back.

They kept moving more and more, fighting off more enemy's with they're swords, they soon found themselves in a large open area and saw the sun rising with a water mill in sight.

"Whoa..." Spike said amazed.
"This is.. beautiful" Ori said in awe, they then noticed a monkey like creature and walked up to him.

"Um excuse me sir? Do you know where we are?" Spike asked.

"Come to see the view too huh? Magnificent isn't it? The wellspring in all her glory!" The guy explained.
"Wellspring?" Spike and Ori both asked.

"A whole generation has Moki has come and gone since the old mills wheels last turned" He said sadly.
"And they say an impressive library sits within.." He was then interrupted when a loud shriek could be hear scarring all of them.

They then saw a large bird monster like Kuro flying around the area.
"What is that?!" Ori asked.
"It looks like Kuro a bit.." Spike said looking at it.

"What's Shriek doing all the way out here?!" He asked shocked.
"Shriek?" They both asked.

" Something must have stirred her from her roost. some threat perhaps?" He questioned.
"Not you two surely, you look harmless, let's fix that" He told them.

"What do you mean by that?" Spike asked with Ori confused as well.

" I am a weapon master, with my skills you two can learn ways in combat to fend off such creatures! i can offer a deal for you two since it's your first time, what would you like to learn?" He asked, They both looked slightly interested at what he offered and decided to learn some new moves.

They had enough spirit points to learn 2 new moves, one was to summon a large hammer of light for heavy attacks, and the other was to throw a ninja star.

"Wow, this feels awesome to use!" Spike said as he swung the hammer around.
"These will definitely be useful!" Ori said as she threw a ninja star.

"If you two care to put your new skills to a test, there's a shrine nearby, it should help you get better use of your new moves, our paths will cross again, keep your blades at ready and keep an eye on the sky!" He told them and they nodded in understanding.

"Thank you for this sir! We won't lose a battle easy!" Ori said determined.
"No we won't, thank you again and stay safe!" Spike said as they waved goodbye, he waved goodbye as well as they left to find this Guardian they were told about, they just hoped they could find Ku before it's too late..

Author's Note

Hey guys hope you liked this new chapter! Sorry if it took a bit to post this, i had some extra things to do today, i'm sure you guys know how things properly flow from here, let me know when you think Garble and Smolder should meet up with Spike, i plan to have them split up to search for him in future chapters, so tell me when you think it's a good time for them to meet again! Again thank you all for reading this, hope you liked it and i'll see you next time!

4: Through The Inkwater Marsh

After Spike and Ori learned a few new moves that would help them for future combat encounters, they proceeded to move they're way around again. They went down another ledge and took down a few enemy's with their new ability's. they then climbed up a few logs and launched themselves to get to a higher area.

"Man, it feels strange doing this kind of stuff after a while.." Spike said as they kept moving.
"I know, even after a few months of saving Nibel, it's kind of strange to do this so soon.." Ori agreed, she then noticed Spike was looking a little sad.

"What's wrong Spike?" She asked worried,
" I don't know Ori.. it's just.. a lot's happening right now in so little time, we got separated from Ku, Gumo and Naru are probably really worried for us, what if something happens while we're here? they could get into danger!" Spike said worried, Ori was worried as well and placed her hand on his shoulder.
"I'm worried about all of this to Spike, but if we don't keep going, we could lose them, we need to hurry." Ori told him.
"Your right.. let's hurry up and find Ku, then let's find out what's going on here." Spike told her and she agreed to that and they moved on again.

They kept on moving higher leaping off some branches to get to higher areas, they leapt down a large log and headed downwards, they used the strange blue grass from before to walk on surfaces that helped move them through some moving spikes, after then got through that they found a couple large spirit containers that could help them get stuff that can be bought for later and they headed back. they jumped off some of the blue bounce pads from before and found a open area with a large shrine.

"What is this?" Ori asked as they looked at it.
"I think this is one of those combat shrines that guy told us about." Spike suggested as they looked at it.
"So it can help us use our new moves right?" Ori asked.
"Yeah, i think so, let's try it out." Spike said as they walked up to it, they accepted the trial and enemy's started to come to them.

Spike and Ori had to put they're new ability's to the test, Spike used his Spirit hammer to smash down enemy's doing heavy damage while at slower speeds, Ori used her new ninja star move to attack at a long range, they had to keep doing that until all the pillars had been lit up and all the enemy's were defeated. They took heavy breaths as they saw they were done.

"Wow, that was a good trial." Spike said as he dismissed his sword.
"Tell me about it, something tells me this will only get harder for us in the future though.." Ori said worried.
" Hey we've taken care of this one, let's just hope we can handle the others." Spike told her, she agreed to that and they walked up to the shrine, a shard came up to them and they grabbed it.
"This must be another Spirit Shard." Spike said as they looked at it.
"At least we can have a few more ability's thanks to these things." Ori told him.
"Yeah, that's a good thing, let's keep going, the sun's already past the hill." Spike said as they knew morning had now past and kept moving on again.

They jumped of a bounce pad again and leaped across some poles to get to the higher area, they brought down a wall that helped them get back to their previous area faster, they kept going higher and higher and they saw the large building in the background.
"Man, it's hard to believe there are so many beautiful views out there.." Spike said in awe as they looked at it.
"I know, it's amazing how beautiful things can be even during tough times.." Ori agreed as they regained focus and kept moving again.

"Ori, do you ever wonder what it would have been like if i wasn't corrupted by the light?" Spike asked as he looked at himself again, Ori stopped and look curious by that.
"Well it's hard for me to explain.. i still feel regret for not being able to save you from being corrupted, now your stuck like this.." Ori said sadly, Spike sighed as he looked at himself, he still felt like he was a dragon, even though his wings were still messed up from the fall from the storm, it still showed that he still had some of his dragon blood with him. But Spike just keeps getting more and more worried on what may come at the end of this adventure.

"It's okay Ori, i'm just afraid of what will happen when this adventure ends.. and i don't think it will be a happy one for us.." Spike said sadly.
"Why do you think that? We still have time to find Ku before something happens to him." Ori told him and Spike sighed.
"I know it's just, when i saw that large tree surrounded by that dark swirl around it, i got really bad feelings from it, and that i may lose myself after this.." Spike said worried.
"Lose yourself?" she asked worried at that.
"I mean like.. i won't be myself anymore, that after this.. something will change me, and even if i reunite with my friends.. it won't be the same.." Spike said looking at himself, Ori knew what he was feeling, she felt afraid to from this, something is gonna happen, and it may not lead to the best outcome for them.

"I know Spike, but if we can't make a good ending for us, we should at least make it a good one for Ku, and your friends, things don't always remain the same yes, but that doesn't mean we can't adapt and make it the best we can, and if we don't hurry we may not lead to that future." Ori told him, Spike clenched his hands and looked at her.
"I know, i was willing to put down my life when in Nibel, and i became a hybrid of a dragon and Spirit Guardian, and if i become one entirely, so be it, if it means Gumo, Ku, Naru and my friends are safe, it will be worth it." Spike told her.
"Whatever it takes right?" Ori asked and he nodded.
"Whatever it takes, come on, let's keep going, i'm not gonna let Ku be alone for any longer!" Spike said determined as they kept moving on.

The two jumped over more poisonous water, and kept moving until they came upon a large structure.
"Dead end." Spike said as he looked at the empty path, just then two Moki came from a distance and they called to them.
" We Moki saw where the little owl fell, near the home we left behind, Silent woods!" They told them.
We cut to last night where thunder and lightning strike as we see Ku alone and on the ground, he opens his eyes and looks around confused and scarred, he then saw two feathers fly off and he chases after them and we cut back to Spike and Ori.

"If he's there he could be in real danger!" Spike said worried.
"How do we get there?!" Ori asked worried as well.
" Kwolok is kind, Kwolok can help." The Moki said as they pulled the lever and a path opened to the structure.
"Thank you!" Spike said gratefully as they moved on, they climbed up the large structure and found a lever near the end of the thing, they pulled it and the water down below drained and opened a path downwards.

"Well at least we can keep going." Ori said as they looked down. They leapt of the ledge again and headed downwards, they had to move over some spiked walls and floors again to be careful down there, they jumped down a deep hole and found yet another Spirit tree.

"How many of these things are there?" Spike asked sadly.
"I don't know, but it's sad that so many passed on because of this.." Ori said sadly as well, they walked up to it and absorbed the light once again, when they landed on the ground they learned a new ability which was to summon a bow and arrow of light.
"Well at least we have more ranged options." Spike said as he pulled out his bow, she and Ori aimed there's at a blue orb and fired at it, the platform they were on rose up like an elevator and they climbed back up.
"I found a few more just a little back, they could help open the way forward." Ori suggested.
"Sounds good, let's go." Spike agreed as they went back again.

They used they're new arrows to shoot more orbs that opened up some platforms for them that had them go higher, they jumped off another bounce pad and shot another one through a tight path, a door opened behind them and they found a eyestone, they both knew there may be one more and they headed off to find the next. They went forward a little more and leapt of another pole and launched into the air, they saw another orb and shot at it and it opened another door, they double jumped off the air again and picked up the second one.

"That should be what we need to open the path." Spike said as they put it away
"Let's head back and place them in the statues eyes, that should do the trick." Ori suggested and Spike agreed to that, they made they're way back to the statue again fighting off any monsters they came across. They soon came upon the statue again and held out the stones, they flew up into the statues eyes and it glowed. The statue opened it's mouth which looked like the way forward.
"We did it!" Ori said happy at that.
"Great, now we can keep going! Hang on Ku, we're on our way." Spike said as they went into the path.
"We won't let you down.." Ori said with hope as they moved in.

Author's Note

Hey guys hope you liked this new chapter! I'll be focusing on this story before i start on another, sorry about the wait for this one but i wanted to finish my other one up, hope you like what you see so far and look forward to more!

5: Kwolok's Hollow

Spike and Ori went through the mouth of the stone statue, when they entered they found themselves in a huge open area..

"Whoa.. this is unlike anything in Equestria..." Spike said amazed as they looked around, there crystal caverns leading to other areas, and more of those orbs from before.
"At least we can keep going." Ori told him.
"Yeah, let's see what there in here." Spike told her which she agreed to, and they headed through the cave.

It wasn't long after they entered where they found themselves in front of another figure.
"Ooh, the glowing strangers my customers speak of which in such awe." He told them.
"You've heard of us?" Spike asked.
"Yes i have little one, tell me is it usual for you kind to fall from the sky? I have met many curiosity's in my travels after all. Oh yes, some fall, some fly, some prowl, some.. slither." He said the last part with hesitation.

"No, we got caught in the storm, we're trying to make our way through here." Ori explained.
"Do you know how we can get through here?" Spike asked.
"Yes, it is pretty tricky though, you will have to keep your eyes on the environment to move forward." Twilen answered.
"That doesn't sound to different from what we're used to, thank you sir." Spike said grateful.
"Thank you." Ori said as well.
"Your welcome spirt ones, if you need anything, i have items that could be of use to you, i have acquired them on my travels." Twilen offered.

"Well, a couple extra ability's couldn't hurt i guess." Spike told her.
"Yeah, what do you have?" Ori asked.

The two bought a couple extra spirit shards, some that could help theme in battle or for traversing around.
"Man, hard to think we didn't have these before." Spike said as he attached one to himself, it allowed him to have a 10% increase in damage, Ori attached hers and it allowed her to stick to walls without slipping.
"These will definitely help with our journey, ready to get going?" Ori asked.
"Of course, let's go!" Spike said with a smile as he and Ori headed off again.

They started things off by avoiding a rock falling on them, they found a secret area right above it and found another life cell fragment, giving them some extra defense to take more hits. They saw a large path ahead and saw a frog looking statue with another blue orb in it. They both got the same idea and used they're spirit arrows and shot a bow to it, it's tounge opened forward and they jumped on it and made they're way up a small ledge.

There was a locked gate preventing them from going further, so they had to go backwards up another ledge to find another way, they found another Moki on a bridge.

"You both are spirits yes? I have seen your ghosts!" He told them
"What?" Ori asked in disbelief.
'That's impossible, we just got here." Spike said not believing it.
"No it's true! There is a place where ghost spirits run and play! I tried to race them once, but i am not so fast." He told them, they both looked confused at that.
"How can that be possible?" Ori asked.
"is there something you saw them coming from?" Spike asked.

"There is a strange looking shrine around here somewhere, i feel like if you beat them in a race, you'll get a good reward if you do so!" He told them and they looked interested.
"It's like the combat shrine back in the Marshes." Spike said recalling the last one they found.
"Sounds like it could help us, we'll keep an eye out for it." Ori told him.
"Let me know if you find it please! I'd like to know more myself!" The moki asked.
"Sure thing, we'll keep an eye out, see you later." Spike said as he and Ori ran off again.

The two went up the walls and jumped over some platforms, they took down another enemy with they're arrows and used them to hit another orb, they found a lever and pulled it, and it drained the water down leaving them to have more room to explore. The two headed down the ledge again and went through the new path. The two used they're skills and shot more orbs that had them jump on another stone tongue and they jumped off a pole to have them keep going.

They saw a large rock above a high ledge.
"That could be used for something." Ori suggested.
"These statues could help, let's try using them." Spike said as they got on a high area, they shot the orb in the highest spot and it went under the rock, it moved the rock above the ledge and once it closed it fell down on the ground, they used their strength and pulled the rock on another tongue to keep it in the air, they shot another orb and shot the last to have them switch places. with that they were able to find a pressure plate and used the rock to open another door.

"That was simple." Spike said with a smile.
"Pretty clean to, let's keep going." Ori said as they headed through it.

They shot more orbs with they're arrows in order to jump onto higher ledges again, they shot two more that let them climb up a wall and they found another lever again. Like before, they pulled it and it drained the water even more.
"Man, how was this all designed?" Spike asked.
"And where does the water go?" Ori asked as well.
"I don't know, hopefully we can find more things down there." Spike suggested as they jumped down once again.

They used the orb again to reach another lever and open the way back, they took down some more enemy's with they're powers and made they're way back to where they did that rock puzzle, they headed down the logs again and kept going down deeper, they found a spirit container which they can use later, they headed further back to the entrance of the room and went down even more. They found an energy cell fragment giving them more energy for they're moves.

They kept on moving down deep again, they jumped over more logs and poles, they avoided spiked walls and floors to not get hurt, but eventually they made they're way to the bottom.
"Man, that felt like it went on forever." Spike said relieved.
"Let's see if there's anything here for us." Ori said as they looked around.

They felt the ground shake again and they looked on with surprise as a horned monster smashed through a wall.
"Well isn't this familiar?" Spike asked as he dodged it.
"Deja vu huh?" Ori asked as they fought it, it's front shell was to tough for them, so they had to trick it into running into a wall in order to hit a large glowing spot on it's back, Spike threw a ninja star at it and Ori smashed the thing with the spirit hammer, it took a few hits but it eventually came down.
"We've really gotten the hang of these." Spike said as he dispelled his weapon away.
"We really have." Ori said as they moved on again.

They climbed up the wall it burst through and found another door above them. before they could continue, Spike noticed a shrine not to far from them.
"Hold up, you see that over there Ori?" Spike asked as he pointed at it, they walked up to it and observed it.
"This may be what that Moki was talking about." Ori suggested.
"Race against our own ghosts huh? Let's see who's faster then." Spike said as he and Ori activated it, the shrine glowed and they felt the presence of another shrine somewhere.
"We can find that later hopefully, i'm sensing something just up ahead." Spike said as they looked back at the open door.
"Let's see what it is." Ori said as they went through the place again.

The two went just a little deeper taking down a couple enemy's, they dropped down another ledge and found another spirit tree much to they're surprise.
"You know Ori, it's hard to believe these things were what turned me into this.. and now.. i don't feel any side affects at all from them." Spike said as they looked at it.
"I know, seeing you become more and more consumed.. it makes me still regret not being able to save you.." Ori said sadly.
"I know.. i still am not over this too.. i just hope that whatever we face, we can put the sprits to rest peacefully." Spike told her.
"Me too Spike." Ori said as they walked up to it. They absorbed the light from it again and landed back on the ground.

The dash ability, feels nice to get it back way sooner then last time." Spike said as he and Ori used it a few times.
"This will help us avoid those traps. Let's keep going, Ku's probably really scarred." Ori said worried for him.
"I know, let's go now, we're not gonna waste any time standing here." Spike said as they kept on moving again. Spike knew things were different then before, but the fear of Spike losing himself still haunts him, Spike just hopes that they are able to save Ku before anything like that happens...

Author's Note

Hey guys hope you liked this one once again! Sorry for my absence yesterday i had important stuff that day, but i'm back again and am still going to keep updating this story until it's done i promise! Quick question for you guys, would you like to see me have Spike go through Hollow Knight in a future story? Let me know in the comments, have a great day to all of you!

6: Continuing Forward

Spike and Ori continue on using they're new dash ability to make it through tight spots, they dashed through some falling rocks then jumped over a large ledge and dashed in the air and landed on the other side. They went upward crawling up walls and ledges to avoid spikes on the walls and floor, they grabbed a pole and launched themselves into the air and landed back on the ground.

"Man, it feels great to use this move again." Spike said with a smile.
"Yeah, it's nice to have something that makes things faster for us to move." Ori agreed as they continued on. While they continued on Spike continued to think about Ku, he's really worried for her, and Spike's afraid of what happens to her in the Silent woods, Ori then noticed Spike and looked concerned.

"Spike? You okay?" Ori asked and he regained focus.
"Yeah i'm fine, sorry i'm just thinking.." Spike said as they continued on." About what?" She asked and Spike sighed.
"I'm worried for her, she's out there all alone without us, i promised Kuro i'd keep her safe, and now we're separated from her.." Spike said with worry and she looked worried as well." I know, she's so young, she can't even fly properly on her own without that feather, and we can't fly they're because your wings are messed up." Ori said as they look at Spikes crumpled up wings.

"This would go by much faster if i could fly us there. " Spike said sadly.' I know, i wonder if there's anyone here who could fix them." Ori suggested.
"Unlikely, i think the only one who would know how to help with my wings, is Gumo, or another dragon." Spike told her.
"Do you think they'll come searching for us?" Ori asked him and Spike thought it over.
" Most likely, we're all a family, so they probably will." Spike told her and Ori looked worried.

"What if something happens to them while they search for us? What if your friends show up in a way?" Ori asked and Spike raised his eyes in realization." That could work in a way, Celestia's magic is powerful, but she'd need more to teleport them to Nibel given how far it is from Equestria." Spike suggested.

"What if that does happen though? What happens if they see you.. like this?" Ori asked as she looked at Spike's hybrid body and Spike sighed sadly." I don't know, at first i thought i would be able to tell them the best i could without much fear.. but then i remembered something..." Spike told her and she looked worried." What is it?" She asked.

'Remember when we first met? Before i absorbed the light of the Spirit tree, i couldn't understand you, i don't think i'd understand Naru or Gumo either, and now since i'm a hybrid fully taken by the light..." Spike said in fear and she realized what he was saying.

"You don't think they'd be able to fully talk with you anymore?" Ori asked with worry and Spike sighed sadly.
"It's possible, since i'm becoming more or a spirit then a dragon... and with what's going on now in Niwen.. it's something i'm afraid of if i do see them again.." Spike said scarred. " I know it may be tough, but think of the other side, what if you can still talk fully with them?" Ori asked.

"Well i'd do my best to to explain what happened to me... and if i can't?" Spike asked and Ori looked concerned." Try not to think of that outcome Spike, let's focus on getting through here and finding Ku and getting home." Ori suggested and Spike nodded." Sounds good to me." Spike said as they kept moving on again.

Spike and Ori shot a purple orb from above them and a door nearby opened up for them, Spike and Ori made they're way up to the place and went through the door, they rested in another spirit well again before continuing forward. They jumped of a ledge and found themselves in an open area where there were spikes on walls.

"Man, how do we get up there?" Spike asked as they looked around the place." I don't know, but there must be.. something.." Spike said as they felt the ground shake and they looked a little worried." Spike what is that?" Ori asked, just then a large monster came from a wall above them and landed on the ground.

"Holy Celestia!" Spike said scarred as they saw it." It's like those things from before but much MUCH larger!" Ori said as they dodged an attack from the monster, they saw the back spot on it and got the same idea." You know what to do, let's do it!" Spike said as they pushed past they're fears and went to face it head on.

The monster slammed on the ground creating a trail of fire which Spike and Ori had to jump over, the monster charged at them and jumped in the air, they went under the thing and they saw it was the time to attack.
"Now!" Spike shouted as they summoned they're hammers, They used them and attacked its weak spot a few times, the hammer was slow but did heavy damage then the swords.

The monster recovered and repeated the same attack strategy, Spike and Ori were able to figure it out and use it when the time comes, Spike switched to his sword to slash at faster while Ori used her ninja star.
" This thing is tough!" Spike said as they kept fighting it. " It's gotta go down at some point!" Ori shouted as they dodged another fire attack.

The monster jumped over them once again and they both jumped at it and delivered a final strike with they're hammers and the monster roared in pain as it fell down defeated and they took heavy breaths.
"That was something.." Spike said as they looked at it's body.
" That was different from anything in Nibel." Ori said as they caught they're breaths.
"Which means there will be more like that wolf of this thing." Spike said with worry.

They looked up and saw a couple Moki again, they grabbed a vine and let it lose and it hung in the air letting them be able to leave the place. "Thank you!" Ori and Spike said at once as they moved forward and climbed up the vine.

"Those Moki, they're really nice aren't they?" Spike asked." They really are, and cute too." Ori said chuckling a little.
" Fluttershy loves animals, so she would definitely love them." Spike told her as they continued on.

They jumped off another ledge and started to move downwards, they used enemy's projectiles on the ground below them to open the way forward, they jumped over purple blasts and saw more lanterns, they both remembered what they were for back in Nibel, they went all the way down to the bottom, and found another Spirit tree.

"Guess some spirits had similar ability's." Spike suggested.
"Yeah, let's hope it's not to different from Nibel's." Ori said as they walked up to it and absorbed the light again, they gained the bash ability once again and they used this to continue on. They used the bash to get through the lanterns and move upwards again, they used the projectiles to propel upwards and found another lever, it opened the door below and they used that to go forward again.

"This must be the way to the Silent Woods." Spike said as he looked around, even from just the entrance, a lot of trees started to look dead and lifeless..
"Poor Ku.. hang on sister, we're coming." Ori said with hope as they went through. They continued to go upwards again, dodging enemy projectiles and jumping over more platforms together, Spike and Ori had become incredibly good with parkour so this wasn't much trouble for them. After bashing off a few more lanterns over thorns, they moved past a rock that pointed them to the woods.

They started to slow down a little as they kept moving, they looked around and saw there was more poisonous water, they looked down at it until huge bubbles started to rise, they looked up in awe as a huge frog creature rose from the water much to they're amazement.

"That must be Kwolok." Spike said as he and Ori looked at him, he opened his eyes and noticed them.
" Harrunk! Two spirits in my marsh? So the Moki were right, i wanted to believe, but it has been so long.. I am Kwolok and you are welcome to my marsh little ones" Kwolok told them.
"Thank you. My name is Spike, this is Ori, we came here looking for our sister Ku." Spike explained.

"Yes, the Moki told me your looking for your friend, an owlet, she fell far to the east." Kwolok told them.

We cut to Ku looking around scarred as the storm continues on, she hides herself in a stone egg looking down sadly as she was scarred and alone.
"The Silent Woods hold her now... Where the owls are no more.." Kwolok said sadly as the scream of Shriek is heard in the distance and a view of stone corpses of owls once laid...

"She's in a land of dead owls?" Spike asked horrified.
"The waterway behind me led me there once. but the waters have grown foul and impassible." Kwolok told them
" There is one way however, the Wellspring to the west, a great watermill sits silent." Kwolok explained.
"So we get the thing working again, we can get into the Silent Woods?" Ori asked.

"Yes, if you were to set it's flows in motion, the water would clear once more." Kwolok told them.
"I would accompany you two, but the Moki need me, however there is something i can give you." Kwolok explained.
"What is it?" Spike asked.

" It is a fragment of the ancient light that once brightened these woods." Kwolok said as they looked in the air and saw a orb of light come down to them.
" May it's voice, be your guide through this perilous land/" Kwolok said with hope.

"I am the voice of the forest, it has been a long time since i last saw your kind." The orb told them." And a long time since i left the marsh, but i will do my best, the Wellspring needs us." The Voice told them.
"Well nice to know we'll have a companion with us." Ori said with a smile.
"Agreed, so we need to get to the watermill right?" Spike asked.

"Yes, go to the Wellspring and teach it's waters to flow once again." Kwolok told them, the image of Niwen appeared in they're heads and they saw the icon glow marking where they need to go.
"Well we freed Nibel's waters once, this shouldn't be to different." Spike said to them.
"The sooner we clear them the better, let's go!" Ori said ready to go, they both headed west to help the waters flow clear once again.

Author's Note

Hey guys hope you liked this one! Thank you all for supporting this story so far and i hope you like it and look forward to more, i just saw the FNAF movie earlier today it was good in my opinion, let me know what you guys thought of it, thank you all for coming this far and hope you like what's to come!

8: Trying to Start The Water Up Again

Spike and Ori headed out of the Glades after helping rebuild the spirit well there, they climbed up a couple walls and bashed up some more lamps and leapt of a few more poles until they went out of the area, they jumped over a large ledge of poisonous water and they soon stumbled upon the Water Mill.

"Whoa.." Spike said looking at it in awe. The Voice came out to them and they looked at it.
"We remember this place, water from the Luma Pools flow through here feeding the marsh with life, or.. it used to flow, before the Decay.. and the water stopped." The Voice said sadly
"It looks as big as the Ginso Tree..." Ori said as they looked at the huge structure, it was bigger then anything Spike had seen in Equestria, it was no doubt the largest Water Mill he's seen and probably will see.
"where do we start with this?" Ori asked as they looked around.
"Let's try to find the way inside, then we'll try to get the waters flowing again." Spike suggested and Ori agreed to that and they went forward a little.

They jumped over another ledge and climbed upward little bit before coming up on a familiar friend.
"Hey! How's it going?" Spike asked as they came up to him and he noticed them.
"Hello again spirits, well i've decided to find that old library!" He told them.

"There's a library in this place?" Spike asked as he looked at it.
"Yes, an extremely old one, but the doors here won't budge, i've tried opening them to no avail." He explained.
"Something might be stopping them from opening.." Ori suggested.
"I saw a path down just a little bit back, maybe that will lead to the problem." Spike told her.
"That sounds like it could be it, be careful young spirits, i sense a foul presence nearby." He warned.
"We'll be okay, we'll see you in a bit!" Ori said as she and Spike went back a little to find the problem.

They went down an old path that looked like it was built below the Mill, they fought through more enemy's with their weapons while crawling on that special grass from before, they went through some more platforming by bashing off a few more lights, and crawling down a tighter spot to get lower, when they reached the bottom they saw something in between the gears, they both figured that this might be the cause and they used they're powers and destroyed it. Just like they thought after they destroyed it, the wheels started to turn again, on the surface their friend was watching as the door opened and he went on in to see what's inside.

"That must have opened the door." Spike said as they saw the wheels turning.
"Let's head back, hopefully we can find the source of the water problem in there." Ori said as they used the wheels to climb they're way back upwards, they used the wheels to they're advantage and launched off any ones that were spinning in the direction they needed to go. Spike and Ori made they're way back out and saw that the door was open like they thought.
"Great, we're one step closer to fixing the waters." Spike said as they looked at the huge Mill.
" Let's be careful okay?" Ori asked and Spike agreed as they entered the place.

"Though the distance was vast.." The Spirit tree echoed as we see Twilight and the others helping Naru and Gumo help they're way to the other island, Twilight turned to Garble and Smolder.
"Look, i need you two do do something for me, i need you two to fly on over to that land and try to find Spike, please be careful out there." Twilight asked and they nodded.
"Don't worry Twilight, we'll find him before the sun sets, come on Smolder." Garble said as he and Smolder started to take off.
"We'll be careful, just be careful yourself!" Smolder said as they both took off to the other lands flying at high speeds, Twilight and the others were helping Gumo and Naru make they're way as well.
" It could not keep the family apart." The Spirit tree said as Garble and Smolder flew at the land at high speeds with determination.

Spike and Ori had just entered the place and looked around and saw how massive the place was.
"There's got to be multiple floors here to this place." Spike said as he looked around.
"We must find a way to reach the top then.." Ori said as they tried to find the way forward.

They headed off to they're right, they jumped onto another wheel with the glowing grass again and used that to reach the other side, they took down another one of the large blobs that was jamming the gears and they started to turn around at fast speeds, they used that to they're advantage and used it to launch themselves into the air and took down as many blobs jamming the gears as they could.

"Man, this really is different that's for sure." Spike said as they jumped over another large ledge and kept moving.
"Yeah.. i wonder what awaits us at the top?" Ori asked.
"Let's just hope we can get the waters moving again, let's hurry with this, i don't want Ku to be out there for any longer.." Spike said with worry as they kept moving again.

They jumped on a vine of sorts and it opened a path below them, they had to carefully move out of the way for any deadly blasts that could harm them, they jumped off the vine and dashed through it to find another Gorlek ore, they headed back upwards to the top again and jumped off more ropes and poles, they found another blob they had to destroy and more gears started turning yet again, it wasn't done but it was one step closer.

They headed more to the left part of the area, and after going down another ledge they found another Spirit tree within the Mill.
"There must have been a guardian of sorts here.." Spike said as they looked at it.
"You gotta wonder how many spirits perished during this Decay as these people call it.." Ori said sadly as they walked up to it and absorbed the light once more.

Once they were finished they, gained a new ability called the Grapple
"This could help reach higher areas then the bash ability could.." Spike said as they saw a Blue energy thing on the tree.
"Let's test it out then." Ori said as they formed a whip in they're hand and used it to launch themselves into the air, they used this among other blue energy objects to make they're way back to the top.

"This will definitely help in previous areas." Spike said as they reached the top again.
"Let's use this to get higher and find the way to other areas" Ori said as they both agreed to that, they proceeded to head forward to hopefully reach the higher areas and get the water flowing again.

Author's Note

Hey guy's hope you liked this one, i'll get into the rest of the Water Mill in the next chapter and continue forward from there, i know these chapters are still a little short ,but again i have stuff i'm trying to do with planning out my other stories i have. So please bear with the small ones for now and i'll get back to making ones that are longer soon, i promise!

9: Restoring the waters

Spike and Ori proceeded to use they're new grapple ability's to latch onto hooks to launch themselves upwards, this was helpful to them in a big way, they could use this to jump up to higher areas and they used it to find a lever that opened a door below.

"That should help us get higher." Spike said as they jumped down.
"Let's hope this helps us get closer to the top." Ori prays as they went through it.

When they went out they saw they were a few feet higher in the air, not high enough to reach the top, but they were getting there. Spike and Ori went to they're left's and jumped down and latched onto some more moss attached to the wheels, they used they're acrobatic skills to cross over the large gap to the other side, they then launched upwards another pole and shot another large blob and let lose another hook that they could use for later.

"That should help us get back up here faster when we need to." Spike said as they landed near another door.
"Hope we can get this done soon, the sun's almost ready to set." Ori said as they saw the sun was almost nearing the edge of the sea.
"We may get this done before then, come on, lets hurry." Spike told her before the two went in another room.

This room was different, they had to start things off by jumping down another ledge and avoiding more energy blasts that could kill them, they then latched onto a wheel with moss on it and had to crawl through an open hole and use that same hole to come out of the bottom. After they went down that wheel they had to fight through another group of enemy's together, they didn't have much trouble as they're skills and ability's are able to help them push through and they eventually took them all down.

"Man, we've really gotten good with these weapons." Spike said as he dismissed his blade.
"There's a lot of variety with them too, could lead to interesting combo attacks when done right." Ori told him agreeing with Spike.
"We'll work on something later alright?" Spike asks.
"Sounds good to me, let's see what's on the other side." Ori tells him as they walk through.

When they go through they find their friend from before looking at another large blob and he notices them and walks up to them.
"What a maze this old mill is, no time to tarry though, still a ways to go." Opher tells them and they sigh.
"I know, it's gonna be a long climb." Spike replied to him.
"Let's start moving again shall we?" Ori asks as she shoots a light arrow to the blob and the gears start to turn, the place starts to shake as they see the room they were in previously starts to rotate and it opens another door in the sides.

"That will help, let's keep going, Ku needs us!" Spike says determined.
"Good luck you two! I'll try and find anything ahead!" They're friend says as he uses his staff and leaps onto a wall and climbs his way upward.
"I wish i could climb like that." Ori says a little jealous.
"We'll where's the fun in a little challenge, right?" Spike asks her and she chuckles.
"Yeah, that's a fair point, let's go." Ori says as she and Spike move through the large room again.

They went back through the large room before going through the new door and taking on a new challenge.
Here they had to use this large gear within the room and go back and forth from it each time they had to pull a lever, this lever rotated the room entirely and they had to do this a few times to be able to reach and each time they did that, they heard a strange roar.

"That might be what's causing the waters to be dirty.." Spike said with fear as they heard it.
"Hey, it can't be worse then what Kuro was like right?" Ori asks.
"Screech already seems to be like her when she was blinded by fury, but i feel like Screech is even worse then what Kuro was.." Spike replied with concern.
"Your right on that.. i just wonder.. what will happen if we have to face her?" Ori asks afraid of that future.
"I don't know, let's just hope we can save Ku before something happens to her." Spike replies and she agrees to that and they proceed to climb up further.

After they make they're way through that large wheel they had to use the moss on more rotating gears to reach even higher areas, it was like the Ginso tree again, but this time they needed to be way more careful as there were even more dangerous hazards. After they jump through a few more hooks with they're grapple ability's they come across one more blob and shoot it down.

This triggers the gears outside of the door they entered to finally start rotating again, and it also opened the door at the very top of the place, Spike and Ori look at the gear as it turns.
"That may have opened a higher door." Spike suggests.
"We're getting even closer, come on!" Ori tells him as she and Spike jump through an open hole that led back to the entrance and went back outside.

Like they predicted the gears from before were working previously and this was able to help them finally reach the top of the place after a lot of climbing they reached the last door.

"Hope this is the last one, that took a lot of work to get here." Spike says a little tired.
"Me too, lets see the what's causing this problem." Ori tells him as the two proceed to walk into the place.

When they enter the place they looked around and saw a small waterfall pouring down near them and they looked around and found a ton of books, the Voice came out to explain things to them.
"The wellspring was once home to a great library Ori and Spike. Knowledge flowed like water through its walls" The voice explained.
"Wow, Twilight would definitely want to look at this place, this would really interest her." Spike said as he looked at the books.
"From what you told me she really would, what do we need to do to restore the waters?" Ori asks The Voice.

"The source of the problem is nearby, be careful, i sense something dark nearby.." It warns them.
"Never stopped us before, come on Ori, let's finish this task." Spike tells her with determination.
"Your right on that, let's go." Ori agrees as the two continue on once again.

The room was small as there wasn't much to it, they found Opher again who suggested that the source was directly above them, they used the objects around them to climb into another large area just above the entrance.

"Okay where is this.. what the?!" Spike shouts in fear as a strange tentacle grabs them both, it pulls them closer to a huge monster that seems to be blocking the water source.
"This must be what's causing the water problem!" Ori says looking at it. The monster roars at them and is about to attack but Opher comes up from behind and whacks it with his staff freeing the two.

"Thanks Opher!" Spike says gratefully as they get up.
"A foul presence indeed!" Opher says as they look at it, the monster throws an object at them which they dodge and it starts to come after them.
"We need to get out of here!" Ori shouts as they start backing up.
"On we go! Hurry!" Opher shouts as he runs ahead and the two follow after him being chased by the monster.

This felt familiar to what happened to the places they visited previously in Nibel, now they had to make a mistake after finding the source of a huge problem. The water continues to chase after them as Ori and Spike run as fast as they could trying to escape, they had to jump over multiple large ledges and grapple over large gaps again. They had to jump into another wheel that started to roll down the whole water mill.

"This is way different from before!" Ori shouts as they try to hang on.
"It's nothing to different, we can make it Ori!" Spike shouts as they see the monster moving around, after an escape exit opens they make they're way through again jumping over more dangerous water and grappling onto some moss and launching off the gear. Water starts to explode from multiple areas as they continue running, they keep running more and more as they try to escape. They move through another gear and bash off some more lanterns again to reach the other side, the grapple onto one more hook and see the way out.

"There it is! Come on!!" Spike shouts as they run as fast as they can, the monster makes one last attempt to grab them but the water explodes from behind them and Spike and Ori begin to fall out of the sky as a loud noise is heard through the forest.

Garble and Smolder have just made they're way to the new land as they look around in worry at this state.
"It's like when Spike first arrived in Nibel, it's a real mess here.." Smolder says sadly as they look around.
"Well, where do we start with finding him? He's gotta be here somewhere.." Garble asks looking all over the place, they hear a really loud sound that shakes the area, they look in shock as they see a large amount of water coming from the Water Mill
"I think that's where we start." Smolder told him and he nods.
"Glad to know he's trying to help out around here, let's do what we can too." Garble replies and she agrees to that as the two continue to fly off again.

Spike and Ori groan as they opened they're eyes.
"Ori? You okay?" Spike asks as he helps her up.
"Yeah, i'm good, did we do it?" Ori asks him, they look around and sees the waters have finally cleared up again.
"I think we did.." Spike says with a smile as they look at the water. They see a few more Moki come up to them looking happy.

"The water flows once more!" The moki says really happy at this." You both are very brave!" He tells them and they chuckle.
"Hey, we've done this before, wasn't to different right Ori?" Spike asks her.
"Agreed." Ori replies with a smile.

"We must tell Kwolok! This is a happy day for the marsh!" The moki says excited as they all start to run off.
"This means we can get to the Silent Woods and find Ku right?" Spike asks Ori.
"Yes, let's tell Kwolok and head to these woods." Ori suggests, Spike agrees to that and they start to run ahead again.
"Don't worry Ku, we're coming.." Spike says determined as they hope they can save they're sister..

Author's Note

Hey guys hope you liked this new chapter! Sorry for the wait in updates for both my stories i got sick this weekend and couldn't focus, but i'm better now and am back to updating, hope you liked what this story has shown so far and you look forward to more! Thank you all for the positive support and hope you look forward to more!

10: The Silent Woods

Spike and Ori proceeded to make they're way back to the entrance to the Silent Woods, with the water clean and flowing properly again, they should be able to head to the Silent woods to find Ku, they were heading back to Kwolok to see anything else he has to say before they head into a dark place. Spike was still glad they were able to save the waters of another land again, it felt both new and familiar at the same time. But he was still afraid on what's gonna happen there, and if they're gonna be able to save Ku..

"Hey Spike, you okay? You've look lost in your thoughts again." Ori asked which regained his focus again, all of his thinking wasn't letting him focus that well as he used to back in Nibel.
"Sorry Ori, all of this is just a lot for me right now.. It's a lot for both of us i'm sure.." Spike said worried as they flipped over some more poles with acrobatics and made they're way over more spikes. They made they're way through the land again while they kept talking, time just flew by a bit faster from doing it.

"Yeah.. Ku must be really scarred.. and alone.." Ori said with worry thinking about her.
"She's so young.. I promised Kuru i'd keep her safe.. and she's out there in a dangerous place.. without me or you with her.." Spike said in fear as he could just feel her cry's for them.
"And not to mention gone to Equestria, do you think she went to warn your friends on what happened here, maybe even bring them here?" Ori suggested curious on that idea.
"Could be, Equestria is thousands of miles from here from what we know, and Kuru is the only one who can fly such distances, she may be sending a message to Celestia and Twilight about something, maybe about what happened in Nibel?" Spike suggested as well as that could be the case.
"Maybe, i just wonder what they'll think of seeing you like.. this.." Ori said sadly looking at his body, Spike's ears went down a little being asked that.

"I don't know.. I used to think they'll accept me no matter what i'm like right now, but with what we're going through.. i'm afraid that i may never see them again after this.." Spike said sadly as this was something they all didn't expect.
"Yeah.. it happened so unexpectedly.. And i'm afraid that when this is over.. we may not come out of this alive.." Ori said in fear as she was getting a bad feeling too..
"If that's the case.. then let's just try and save Ku, our friends, family, and anyone else that could be in danger here, if we're not making it out of this.. let's at least make sure our friends are safe.." Spike said sadly as this was a fate he felt couldn't be avoided, even if he saw Twilight again.
"We're doing it for our friends and family.. maybe we could see them one more time before then right?" Ori asked hopefully as they hugged eachother again.
"I hope so.. let's go.. Kwolok's place is just up ahead.." Spike said as they were nearing the entrance again.
"Yeah, let's go.." Ori said in agreement as they quickly went to finally make they're way into the Silent Woods..

Garble and Smolder were flying to the water mill in order to try and find Spike and Ori, they thought they would be there since how recent the water's came out of it, they looked below them and saw the waters were flowing and didn't look poisonous anymore.
"Looks like they managed to get the water flowing again." Smolder said proudly as they landed down to try and find them, they looked above and saw the enormous water mill, just admiring how amazing and ancient it was.
"Yeah.. to think Spike was able to restore them with Ori, it must've been a long climb.." Garble said impressed that he did this without the mane 6.
"He's really come a long way, i may not have met him, but i can tell he's really grown, i don't think we would've done this by ourselves.." Smolder said as they saw the water's flowing through the forest seamlessly now.
"Yeah.. and to think he's a hybrid now.." Garble said sadly as they remember what he looked like before his quest ended.

"I really feel bad for him you know? Just imagine what that's like, being stuck between both a dragon, and a Spirit Guardian, and wondering if the ladder will take him over completely.." Smolder said worried on that..
"Yeah, you have to wonder what it feels like? That light did make him stronger, but it consumed him.." Garble said with worry looking at his reflection.
"Hey, it was to protect us and his family, you can't deny that the fact he did something like this at such a young age, is something truly special." Smolder said sitting down next to him.
"It is, and he's not even a teen, he did it all to protect his loved ones, and he's most likely doing it again.." Garble said looking at the huge mill again.
"Hey, i'd do the same for you, just like you'd do for me, we're family, and that's what we do." Smolder said shrugging his shoulder a little.

"Yeah.. your the only one of the family that cared about me after i molted, i'd do anything to protect you, even if it means costing my life..." Garble said turning to her who looked sad on that.
"Losing you would be like losing a part of my heart Garble, we can't live without eachother, and i don't know what i'd do without you.." Smolder said putting her claw on his shoulder.
"Smolder, no matter how long we live, eventually, one of us is going to die. And the one that survives has to live on and make things better for their life, if there's one person i'd make sure lives, it'll be you." Garble said looking at her who was sad on this, but didn't really want this to get more depressing.

"That won't happen for decades Garble, centuries even, your thinking to much into this, let's just stick by eachother's side, okay?" Smolder asked as he started to stand up
"I couldn't want anything more, let's get back to searching for those two." Garble declared which Smolder agreed too.
"You think we can find them?" Smolder asked trying to find any traces of them, Garble looked around and saw some white footprints, two pairs of them that lead a good distance into the forest.
"I think we can, come on, we may not be far behind!" Garble said as they quickly started heading after them and following the trail, hoping it wasn't too late..

Spike and Ori made they're way to the entrance to the Silent Woods, it was gonna be dangerous for sure, and they had to go down the same obstacles they went through before, but with they're grapple ability, traversing was much was much easier, it made it better for high ledges to be reached too and will definitely help in the future. They could see the very old frog creature just up ahead and got ready for what's next.

"Kwolok.." Spike said in awe as they both made they're way back to him. He did look tired, but that's because he was very old and must sleep in a lot.
"Welcome back little ones. I have heard from the Moki that you have restored the waters." Kwolok said looking at the clean waters below them.
"Yeah, a strange monster was blocking it from flowing, we had to climb all the way to the top of the water mill to stop it. The monster's still out there, but the water's are back to normal at least." Ori explained looking up at him.
"Hmm.. that is troubling to hear, i advise you keep your guard up in case it attacks. But none the less, you have achieved an important task, with the waters clean and flowing, you'll be able to traverse not just to the Silent woods, but any previous place you've seen with the poisonous waters, it's best you do so when you can, you may find something useful by doing do." Kwolok encouraged.

"Don't worry, we'll make sure to keep an eye out, so we can go to the Silent Woods now?" Spike asked peaking behind him.
"Yes, you can enter now, but beware. A being called Shriek lives there, her cry's are ones of pain, and her heart is stone. She will not show you mercy if she sees you, you must be careful when traveling through there." Kwolok warned which scarred them a little.
"That must be the monster that looks like Kuro we saw earlier." Ori said looking at him.
"Yeah, if she's out there, we have to be careful.." Spike said a little worried about doing this.
"Let's just hurry before she finds Ku, we may not have much time left." Ori said as they hopped over the pond and headed to the entrance.
"Be careful small ones.." Kwolok prayed as they were about to enter the place. They looked below them and saw the entrance was through a water cavern.

"You still remember how to swim Ori?" Spike asked looking at her.
"Well that depends, do you?" Ori countered which made him chuckle a little.
"Of course, i can still hold my breath for 10 minutes, let's hope it's a short swim." Spike said as they got ready to jump.
"Let's hope.." Ori prayed as they jumped into the water and began swimming to the entrance.

Garble and Smolder followed the trail as fast as they could, the trail was getting brighter which must show how recent they went by the place.
"We must be close, i can feel them.." Garble said as they looked around for them, but they did start to notice the woods were starting to look more.. decayed, and dead.. almost lifeless..
"Why are they going to a place like this? Let alone going deeper in here?" Smolder asked worried as the sun was starting to be blocked by the clouds.
"They must be searching for someone, it's the only reason one would go to a place like this." Garble said as they were going past the place Kwolok was, but he went underwater to rest a bit.

"How would you know that?" Smolder asked turning to him.
"Because if you were missing, diving into the most dangerous places to get to you would be the first thing i'd do.." Garble said smiling at her.
"Your so sweet at times brother." Smolder said shaking her head at that. They both stood on a ledge and saw the way forward was through a water cavern.
"Looks like we're going for a swim." Smolder said stretching her legs and arms a little.
"Race you to the way out." Garble said looking at her who chuckled at that.
"Your on, let's find those two." Smolder said as they did a high jump into the water and dove head first into the water just behind them..

Spike and Ori swam through the underwater caverns, they could see the glowing moss and plants of this forest, it reminded them so much of Nibel, it was dark but beautiful. They had to redirect some monster's projectiles into some weak logs which made the way reveal itself more. Spike kept on practicing holding his breath, he never forgot to go without needing air for 10 minutes, it's a record that he's sure Twilight and the others would be proud and amazed, since they only can do it for half as long, at least since the last time he saw them try it. Spike and Ori gasped as they emerged on the surface, they saw a grapple hook again and both got the same idea.
They used they're grapples to latch onto the top of the ceiling and jumped off to land just on the entrance.

They could already feel how lifeless this place was, the air was thick and tough to breath, there wasn't any wind flowing. And the sun was blocked by the clouds, leaving this place in a field of darkness, it was a depressing sight to see for sure.
"Wow.. i've seen sad sights.. but this is taking the cake.." Spike said in shock of how dead this place looked.
"It's worse then the stuff we've seen in Nibel.." Ori said sadly as they didn't feel a single gust of wind, just the cold lifeless air that was the Silent Woods.
"So.. Ku has to be here right?" Spike asked hopefully looking around the place.
"Yeah, the Moki, Kwolok, and anyone else who we've met all lead us here, she has to be.." Ori said looking a little worried.
"Well.. we shouldn't let her be alone any longer, let's find her, and get out before Shriek see's us." Spike said trying to stay confident.
"Yeah.. let's go.." Ori said as they were about to begin.

But a splash of water behind them caught they're attention, and they turned around and saw two large figures climb to the ledge, Spike's eyes widened in what they saw, they were dragons. One was a slender orange dragoness with pink hair and horns on her side, but besides her was someone he was never expecting to see here..
"Garble?!" Spike asked in shock as they shook off the water.
"You know him Spike?" Ori asked worried as they stood close together.
"Stay close Ori." Spike said as he looked ready to defend them both.

Garble and Smolder opened they're eyes finally and saw them a good distance away.
"We actually found them.." Smolder said in shock as they slowly went to them.
"Spike.. you really have become a hybrid.." Garble said in shock as they saw his glowing white body, with no traces of green or purple on him at all. Spike summoned a light sword and raised it at them which surprised them.
"Stay back Garble! I do not want to deal with this right now!" Spike warned which made them back up, but while he spoke normally to him, to them.. he wasn't speaking right.

"Um.. what did he say?" Smolder asked confused turning to Garble which surprised both of them.
"I.. don't know.." Garble replied which concerned them all.
"Wait.. you can't.. understand me?" Spike asked shocked, while he spoke normally to Ori's ears, to them, they can't understand a thing.
"What's he saying?" Smolder asked concerned which solidified this even more.
"They.. they can't understand me.." Spike said in horror as he put his weapon away and fell to his knees.

"Spike.." Ori said with sadness as he had tears in his eyes.
"If even Garble can't understand me.. then that means Twilight won't.. or any of my other friends.." Spike said as he began to cry.
"It's okay Spike.. i still understand you.." Ori assured hugging him close, Garble and Smolder were also worried on this.
"How.. how can we not understand him? He's a dragon like us, we should understand him clearly." Smolder asked looking at him.
"Don't forget Smolder.. he's not entirely a dragon anymore.." Garble said sadly as Spike's fears were coming true even more..

The Voice came out of them which did surprise Garble and Smolder.
"It appears your connection to the light has only taken away more of your dragon state Spike, your are becoming less of a dragon, and far more of a Spirit Guardian." The Voice spoke which horrified them, even if they can't understand Spike, they can understand the Voice since she's.. the voice of the land.
"Spike's losing more of himself? How? I thought him becoming a hybrid was the end of it?" Smolder asked worried at this.
"And.. how can we understand you?" Garble asked pointing at the orb.

"Why? Why is this happening to me? Losing part of myself and becoming a hybrid was bad enough, but not even speaking directly to them is.. is.." Spike said in horror trying to process this.
"Spike, your still you, that's all that matters, i'm sure we can fix this.." Ori said trying to help them.
"How can we fix this?! I can't even speak to the people that are my own kind! If i can't speak to them, how will i explain all of this to my friends?!" Spike shouted suddenly which surprised her, but then Spike turned to Garble looking mad at him.

"And you! Why are you here?! Are you here to pick on me again?! Did you come all this way to further hammer in the point that i'm not a dragon?! Well congrats! You made things worse for me by making me realize i can't talk to you, or my friends! Why was refusing to smash that Phoenix Egg so much for you?!" Spike shouted with anger which made Garble back up, even though he can't understand him, he could tell Spike is mad about him being here.
"Calm yourself Spike, there's another reason for why they're here, i can sense it. Accusing them like this isn't making things better, you need to think logically Spike." Voice advised as Spike was breathing heavily, while Spike was still upset at this, she was right, him being mad like this isn't something he'd be like, he can tell Garble isn't here for picking on him.

"Sorry, this is just.. a lot for me right now.." Spike apologized trying to calm down.
"It's okay, it'll be okay.." Ori assured holding him close, they looked at the two ready for questions.
"Now, i must ask, why did you two come here? This is a dangerous place." Voice asked floating up to them. Garble and Smolder looked at eachother and began to explain everything.

To say Spike was shocked was to put it lightly, they came here looking for him, they were able to find him thanks to their Dragon Lord, he helped Celestia and Luna make a spell that would teleport them to Nibel. And they were on they're way.. trying to find him..
"They're.. trying to find me? And they know about what happened?" Spike asked shocked at this, they could tell what he was asking and nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, we all saw what happened, every dragon in our lands, you did something none of us could do. And when we saw you became a hybrid.. your friends knew you needed them, they worked for months trying to find a spell to bring us here." Smolder explained to them which did relief them a little.
"At least we'll have some help soon.." Ori said a little relieved on that, but they all knew this was something they couldn't do on they're own.
"Well, we know why they're here, but why are YOU two here?" Spike asked again, he understood his friends coming to find him, but Garble and this sister he has is something he didn't know, the Voice translated this for them so they could understand again.

Garble looked down with regret and slowly walked up to him.
"I came.. to make up for what happened.. seeing the things you did in Nibel really made me see things differently. Your will to protect your friends and family, even putting your life on the line.. it's something i would do. I wanted to make up for what happened between us.. and hoped we could start over.." Garble explained which surprised him.
"He.. wants to move past what happened?" Spike asked himself surprised on this.

"Even if we haven't met little guy, even if i can't understand you.. my brother really wanted to come here, i know about what happened, and while what he did was VERY wrong.." Smolder said looking at him disapprovingly and he looked ashamed as well before she turned back to him.
"He's still a good person deep down, he cares for me as much as you care for your friends. He just wants to help you Spike." Smolder finished looking at him.
"Well.. at least he knows what he did was wrong.." Ori said as she saw he was being honest, Spike was really surprised to see him admit this, and if this was true, they're here to help them.

"I'll.. think of it.. but we need to regain focus, we still need to find Ku and get out of here." Spike said looking at them.
"Yes, it is important we find your little sister before Shriek does, this place continues to die each minute we stand here." Voice said in agreement which surprised the two.
"Wait.. you have a little sister?!" Smolder asked worried hearing this.
"And.. who is this Shriek?" Gable asked confused.

They got they're answer when they heard a loud noise nearby which scarred them. Spike put his finger on his lips and they understood what he's saying. They all quietly tip toed through the place and saw a huge monsterous bird, eating away the corpse of a dead creature while walking off.
"That is Shriek, we all must proceed with caution. she will kill us if she sees or hears us." Voice warned looking at them all, Garble and Smolder looked really scarred seeing Shriek move away as she was huge.
"Ku's in danger, we need to find her before she does." Spike whispered to Ori who was thinking the same thing.

Spike looked at the two dragons and showed them a small feather that could give them a clue of who they were looking for.
"That.. that little owl.. she's lost in this place?" Garble asked worried looking at it.
"A little owlet in danger? That's something i can't ignore.." Smolder said giving it back to him.
"Okay, we're gonna help you find her, but once we do we get the heck out of here okay?" Garble whispered looking at them. The two nodded in agreement and the 4 of them all went to save Ku..

To say the place looked worse then a graveyard would be an understatement, there were barely any signs of life at all, the water was gross and boiling hot, they'd all die if they sunk in it, so they let Smolder and Garble fly them over the water to avoid it. It was all just a dead barren place with no life to see. It was one of the most depressing sights any of them had ever seen..
"Man, and i thought the Dragon Lands look bad.." Smolder said sadly as they continued to move.
"It feels like were moving through a living nightmare.. a depressing one.." Garble added as they went to a higher ledge. Spike saw another grapple ledge and they used they're whips to latch onto the higher area.

"Wow, that is really cool!" Smolder said amazed as they flew upwards to catch up with them.
"I'll admit, having light powers like that is really cool." Garble said in agreement as they landed on the top, Smolder looked at Spike's back and saw that he had wings! But.. they were crumbled up, they looked like they couldn't move right.
"Spike.. what happened to your wings?" Smolder asked shocked seeing it.
"You have wings?! Then that means.. you went through your molt.." Garble said in shock as they saw they weren't in the best condition. Spike looked at the Voice and told her how to tell them this.
"Spike's wings were messed up during the storm a few nights back, he had just started flying too. It's sad indeed." Voice explained which surprised them.

"Why would you fly out during a storm?" Garble asked upset at this.
"The storm showed up unexpectedly when they arrived here, the wind was strong enough to separate them from they're sister, and the fall messed his wings up. And he became grounded once again." Voice explained some more which they understood.
"I see... if that's the case, let me see those for a second." Smolder said turning him around.
"Hey? What are you?" Spike asked confused as she spread them out, Garble and Smolder knew how to handle this, so a few minutes later, they managed to crease out Spike's wings so they weren't crumbled up anymore. They didn't look perfect for long periods of flying, but they could at least flap and catch updrafts now.

"There, that should be better for now." Smolder said brushing her claws off.
"Just take it easy with those things and they'll be back to normal in no time." Garble explained creasing out the last bits of them. Spike could feel them again and tried flapping them a little, he was able to get a good jump in the air with them, so he can move them normally again.
"My wings are fixed, this will definitely help! Thank you so much for this!" Spike said gratefully looking at them.
"Your welcome.. i just hope you said thank you.." Smolder said still not understanding him.
"Remember, you still can't fully fly yet, you can at least glide and catch updrafts for now, just give it time and they'll be back to normal soon." Garble explained making sure they understood it.
"Well, at least they got your wings fixed, that should help a lot right?" Ori asked with a smile looking at him.
"Definitely, let's hope Ku's nearby." Spike said as they started to move again.

They all saw a house that was hanging on the edge of a higher place, and they all went over to see it. They all entered it to be greeted with a even more depressing sight. They saw a dozen Moki within the place, but they weren't alive.. they were turned to stone.. lifeless.. and not moving at all..
"Oh no.. these Moki stayed here for too long in the Decay.. and they were turned to stone.." Voice said with sadness as they looked at the lifeless corpses..
"Decay?" Garble asked sadly rubbing a statues head.

"If one stays here for too long, they will turn to stone, as long as Shriek lives, her presence will keep all of them frozen.." Voice explained which made them more sad.
"So many innocent Moki's.. gone.." Ori said sadly as they saw no life in the room at all.
"They were just trying to hide from her.. they couldn't escape either way.." Spike added looking at the old place..
"They must've felt so scarred.. and alone.." Garble said as he found an old looking doll, it was pale and hard, but it felt handmade, and looked like it was one for a child.
"It must've been for a smaller child.." Spike suggested as they saw a smaller Moki then the others that was lifeless too which made them start to cry seeing a family go like this...
"Guys.. let's.. go.. this is too much.." Smolder said with tears in her eyes as they quickly went out of the house, this only made them more determined to find Ku before it happens to her as well..

They continued moving through the depressing place for a bit more, there were barely any monsters to fight as they were turned to stone too, it was getting more sad by the minute, with only a small piano medley being heard to accompany the somber place..
"To think I've seen so much in Nibel, and i thought Kuro losing her kids was awful.." Ori said sadly as they continued moving.
"We can't let her lose her last one, she's our sister.. we need to find her.." Spike prayed as they hopped of another ledge.
"I can't believe you went through places like this Spike, i don't think i would've made it out of them alive." Garble said as they tried making small talk.
"Yeah, for a little guy like you, you really did something amazing. Something that could inspire dozens of ones in the future." Smolder added looking at him, Spike looked at the voice again and told her what to say in response.
"He says thank you, it's a fate he was willing to accept and go through if it meant saving his family." Voice explained which made Garble smile a little.

"You know.. that's something i'd do too Spike, Smolder's my sister, and i'd do anything to keep her safe." Garble said looking at her, Spike was a little surprised hearing this from him, but he couldn't blame him. Family is something everyone needs to find joy in life.
"Yeah, and i hope we find yours soon, it makes me worried the more we go through this place." Smolder said looking over the area. Spike had the orb translate something back in response once more.
"He says thank you, and he's sure they're near her by now." Voice explained which gave them hope.

At that moment, they suddenly heard something in the distance which caught they're attention.
"Ku?" Spike and Ori asked at once as they quickly ran ahead with Garble and Smolder following behind. They emerged into a large open area, and in the distance, they could see huge statues of Owl's, frozen in stone like everything else here..
"The woods lay still.. all ash and bone.. " The Spirit tree spoke as the place started to rain, at least there was some form of water they could have here.
"Ku? Are you there?!" Ori asked looking over the area, they heard a sound nearby and saw a small owlet come out of a hiding spot.
"Ku?" Spike asked shocked as they saw it was her.
"Ku!!" Spike and Ori said at once as they quickly ran over to her, she ran over to them as well and they all hugged eachother in sadness and joy.

"Your okay! Your still here!" Spike said in relief as they were so relived.
"We thought you were in terrible danger.." Ori said having tears as Ku looked at them with sadness, just glad to see them too.
"This is your sister?" Garble asked shocked as they came up to them, Ku was a little scarred seeing them, but they calmed her down.
"It's okay, we're here to help.." Smolder assured as she bent down on one knee. But the reunion was interrupted when a loud stomp shook them, they heard a loud screech which scarred them.
"It's Shriek! Hide!" Smolder whispered as they all hid beneath the large place Ku was hiding in.

They could hear the steps growing closer, and saw a huge shadow loom over the place, they couldn't see her, but they knew Shriek was here, and was looking for them. They all held they're breathes as Shriek walked over the place they were hiding, and saw how huge she was, and knew they needed to get out of here now. Spike motioned all of them to move as they needed to go now. Ori and hopped on Ku and they all quickly started to leave trying not to be spotted by her.
" It was time to find a way home.. " The Sprit tree said as they all were making they're way through the night sky...

The more they went through the place, the more owl corpses they saw in the place, not a single creature was alive here. It only gave them more reasons to escape before they Decayed as well. They used the updrafts that were nearby to get to higher ledges, with Spike's wings fixed mostly, he could rise up to the higher ledges with them and made sure they weren't separated. As they got to a higher ledge, they saw the corpse of a familiar monsterous wolf..
"Ori.. is that?" Spike asked in horror as it was the same wolf that attacked them before, now frozen and lifeless..
"It couldn't escape here either.." Ori said sadly as this was just sad.
"Come on, i see the way out, we're almost free guys." Garble whispered as they were almost free.

"The way home.. just out of reach.." The Spirit tree said as something flew by them.
And as they were almost out, they saw a feather on the ledge in the distance.
"That's Ku's feather!" Spike said pointing at it.
"Come on, we have to get it.." Ori said as they quickly went to get it.
"Guys, be careful." Smolder whispered trying to make sure they aren't seen. But just as they almost grabbed it, they heard a loud screech again and saw Shriek tower over them all.
"Shriek.." Garble said in horror as she was huge, and definitely not friendly.

Dramatic music plays as Shriek roars at them all and they all looked really scarred, she marched to them with rage and almost crushed them all.
"Spike!!" Ori shouted with horror as he was almost crushed.
"Look out!" Garble shouted as he tacked him out of the way, Shriek roared at them all as Smolder and Ori backed up in fear. The monster tried stomping them to death as Spike and Ori were the light in this dark place.
"Ku!" Spike shouted with horror as she was near a ledge.
"Garble!" Smolder shouted in fear as she fell near the cave section she was nearby.

Garble looked at all that was happening, they were all overwhelmed by now, this monster was too strong for them to fight now, Spike was in danger, his sister was in danger. And wanting to finish his deed, he made his choice.
"Spike, i'm sorry for what happened. I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me, i didn't want to do anything like that to you, i hope this sets things right.." Garble prayed as he held Spike up.
"Garble! What are you?!" Spike shouted in shock before he threw him to Ori.

"Spike!" Ori shouted as she caught him and they screamed as they fell down the ledge with Smolder. Garble saw the Owl was in danger and knew what he had to do, he breathed a stream of fire at it's leg which made it roar in pain for a moment. Garble landed in front of Shriek and put Ku behind him.
"Leave her alone you beast!" Garble shouted with rage as Shriek recovered from the attack. Shriek roared at them both and marched over to them as they were on a ledge, Garble saw the monster raise up his legs and braced himself.
"Take care of Smolder for me Spike.." Garble prayed as he closed his eyes and braced himself as a loud stomp was heard with the screen cutting to black followed by a loud roar of rage..

Spike groaned in pain as his eyes began to open his eyes finally.
"Ori? Smolder?" Spike asked weakly as he began to stand up, Ori groaned in pain as well as she woke up too.
"Spike? What happened?" Ori asked worried as he helped her up. Smolder groaned as well as she woke up too.
"Garble?.. Garble?!" Smolder asked worried as she got up instantly not seeing him here, they looked around and couldn't find the two anywhere in this cave.
"Ku! Garble!" Spike shouted trying to get a response, but they couldn't hear anything..
"No.. he has to be alive.." Smolder prayed as they quickly started to move.
"Ku.. Garble.. he.. tried protecting her.." Spike said with worry as this just kept getting worse.

They quickly made they're way through the cave searching for them, they're hearts were beating in they're chests as they prayed the worst hasn't happened to those two. They went over a few more ledges and saw the way out, but as they made it out.. they saw two corpses.. lying on the ground..
"Garble?!" Smolder asked worried as they ran up to them.
"Ku?!" Spike asked moving her body over, she wasn't moving.. her eyes weren't opening.. and she wasn't breathing either..
"No.. it can't be.." Ori said in horror in sadness as this couldn't be real. Garble was breathing weakly as he could barely keep his eyes open.

"Garble! It's gonna be okay! We're gonna get you help!" Smolder said trying to help him up.
"No.. don't.. i'm only holding you back.." Garble said weakly stopping her.
"Garble, please! I can't lose you! I don't want you to go!" Smolder begged as she began to cry, Garble weakly put his claw on her head and rubbed it.
"Like i said.. i'd do anything to protect you.. you have so much to live for.. as long as i know you'll live a happy life.. that's enough for me.." Garble said weakly putting his hand down.

"Garble, no.. no! Please don't! I can't do this without you!" Smolder begged more as she couldn't believe this was happening. Garble breathed weakly and turned to Ori and Smolder.
"Take care of her Spike.. i'm sorry about all that's happened.. you are more of a dragon then any of us.. even when you don't see yourself as one... your the best dragon of all of us... i'm sorry for everything.. and hope you forgive me one day.. stay strong little guy.. please.. take care of.. Smolder.." Garble said as he began to close his eyes..

"Garble.. no.." Spike said in horror and sadness as he breathed a final breath.. and his body stopped moving..
"Garble.. no.. no! Please!!" Smolder begged as she was crying heavily not wanting to believe her brother.. was gone...
"Garble.. Ku.." Spike said with tears as rain began to pour from the sky.
"Spike.. Smolder.. i'm so sorry.." Ori said with regret as they all hugged eachother looking over they're fallen family's while crying deeply. Multiple Moki began to arrive on the scene, and saw them crying over they're fallen loved ones and started looking sad as well. They held them close as the rain poured down on them, and they cried heavily over losing them as somber music plays through the night sky..

Author's Note

Hey guys i hope you liked this! Sorry it took so long to update this chapter, but with my other stories i've been working on, i've had trouble coming back on this. But i think it was for the best taking a little break, i wanted to gain more writing experience to make this feel grander. I love these games a lot and wanted to make sure i have the same sad feelings when getting to segments like this, you all can't tell me that this scene in the games didn't make you cry, i wanted to make sure it's just as strong here along with future sad moments in the game.

While i do admit that having Garble die alongside Ku is sad, i think it's a good way for him to have closure and making up to Spike, and while i could've had more interactions, i could only have so little with the time in this part of the game. I don't think my next chapters will be as long as this one, but i'll at least try and do half the length for the smaller parts, and ones just as big for big events at this. I'll make sure Spike's character is strong here, and same with Smolder, she may not be traveling with them through the game all the time, but i'll make sure she can help when she can, and make she's strong too. I hope you all liked this and look forward to more!

11: A Small Hope

Spike Ori and Smolder brought they're fallen loved ones to a place nearby Kwolok's home to mourn over they're loss, Smolder was crying heavily at the lost of her brother.
"Garble.. why? You were.. all i had left.. I don't know how to do this without you.." Smolder said breaking down seeing his body.
"I promised Kuru i'd keep you safe.. i failed.. i failed both of you.." Spike said crying over Ku's body as well.
"You both didn't deserve this.. why did such a thing like this have to happen?" Ori asked crying as well holding Spike close while a ton of Moki were watching feeling sad for their loss as well.

They kept crying to themselves as they just couldn't believe they were gone, and all ways of saving them may be lost.. But to their surprise, they saw Voice come out from them which shocked them. It began to fly around the area and light up the flowers nearby in a beautiful light that shone like how Ori and Spike did.

"What.. is she doing?" Spike asked seeing all of this in awe..
"It's.. beautiful.." Smolder said amazed as she only saw Spike go through this kind of thing before.
"Is there.. something she wants to tell us?" Ori asked as she stopped flying finally and flew off to where Kwolok normally was.

They all agreed to follow this strange event and carefully walk over to where Voice went to, to Smolder's shock, she saw a huge frog like creature that they didn't see here before, it looked remorseful and sad just like everyone else here.
"What.. are you?" Smolder asked shocked seeing him, the thing began to speak in a language that she couldn't understand, but Spike and Ori could understand very well.

"I am sorry for your friend and the dragon's lost family little ones, the Voice of the forest has done what it can, but it's light is weak. Too many have suffered in these dark times, the smallest ones among us the most." Kwolok said with regret as Spike and Ori were both devastated still.
"And what's worse.. i can't even be understood anymore, i'm.. losing more of what's left of a dragon in me then ever.. if i can't speak.. how can i explain everything to Twilight when they find us?" Spike asked looking at his glowing body again.
"I don't know Spike, but there has to be a way to save them.. to fix all of this.." Ori said trying to find some hope.

"There is little ones, let me tell you a tale.." Kwolok began as Voice flew up to Smolder to translate.
We open to a flashback of what looks like the previous Spirit Tree within this land, it's light was glowing brightly across a beautiful sunset, but something began to happen.. it's light started to dim out.. almost dying..
"With the Willow's end.. the light shattered.." Kwolok explained as the light shattered into 5 separate pieces that went flying across the land.

"The Spirits perished.. and our land soon fell into Decay.." Kwolok narrated as the clouds cover up the sunlight in darkness which scares some of the Moki.
"The fragments of lights weakened, barely wisps.." Kwolok explained more as a small wisp was seen in a desert like area and multiple creatures are walking up to it.
"Left as they are, they're light will fade forever. It is only a matter of time.." Kwolok said sadly as we see shots of the lands in a dark state from the lack of it's light.
"But with the Moki's help, i have located where they fell." Kwolok finished as Spike and Ori see another vision again.

They now see what looks like the large yet beautiful land of Nibel, and all the sights there are to see.
"The forests' memory, is found in the North." Kwolok said as the light flies over to an icy looking area with snowy peaks across the area.
"It's eyes, lost to darkness in the south." Kwolok explained more as it now flies over to a dark looking forest area below the south, seemingly without any light.
"It's strength, drowned in waters to the west." Kwolok said once again as the light goes to a tropical looking area far in the west from where they're from.
"And finally.. it's heart. Buried beneath the shifting sands to the east." Kwolok finished as they see the light go to a desert like area far off from the Silent Woods.
"And it's voice, who journeys with you, alone they are weak, but when they are brought together.. if anything can undo the damage that has been done. it is the Will of the Wisps." Kwolok finished which amazed them all.

"So.. if we find these wisps.. we can bring Ku and Garble back?" Spike asked hopefully. the Voice just finished translating this for Smolder too and she was amazed as well.
"My brother.. can be saved?" Smolder asked in both a shocked and hopeful tone.
"Maybe even save this land too?" Ori asked hopefully as well looking at Kwolok.
"Yes, they can be brought back, if you two can find the wisps, you can save them both." Kwolok explained which gave them hope.

"Wait.. why them? Why can't i go and help too?" Smolder asked a little upset hearing this.
"The wisps can only be found by a being that has similar reactions to their light. Spike and Ori are both Sprits, you are vulnerable if you go to these places. If you try and find them, you could risk being Decayed as well, and you may never see your brother again, even in the afterlife." Voice explained which worried Smolder.
"But.. that's not fair! He's my brother! I can't just sit around and do nothing! He sacrificed his life to save Spike! Why can't i do the same for him?!" Smolder asked upset at all of this, Spike could see she was really upset about this, and decided to help her out, even if they can't understand eachother. Spike looked at the voice and told it something to translate.

"Spike says that it's okay. If you are willing to put your life on the line, so are we. You have a lot to live for Smolder, if your brother wanted you to live on without him, he knows it's because you can do something great. Even if you can't directly help us, there's always ways for you to play a part in this." Voice translated which made her a little surprised.
"But.. how can i help? My brother is the last family i had left, our parents kicked us out after we molted down and had our wings, i can't just let his death be in vain.." Smolder said looking down sadly. Spike got an idea and suggested something to the Voice which sounded good.
"There is a nearby village not to far from here, it isn't in the best shape right now since the decay happened, but I'm sure there's plenty of ways for you to help around the place. I'm sure they'd gladly accept your help, especially if these friends of Spike arrive soon, i think they'd be proud to see what you've done." Voice explained which Smolder actually liked.

"There's a village nearby? If it needs help, i'll be glad to help them. There's gotta be something i could do at least.." Smolder said still a little jealous that they can go on an adventure like this.
"I'm sure you'll do just as big as a part Spike and Ori will." Voice assured which made them all smile.
"Alright, that sounds good to me." Smolder said ready to go already.

"So.. we have to journey across Nibel and find at least 4 small wisps that all will help bring them back?" Ori asked wanting clarification.
"And it will bring this land back to normal? All of it?" Spike asked hopefully.
"Yes, it will be undone. And i will not remain in my hollow while you journey out like this. I will journey on myself, and see if there is any clues i can find. Good luck little ones!" Kwolok declared as they watched him begin to sink back into the now clean waters and disappear leaving them alone.

"Wow.. so we have to go out on another journey again huh?" Spike asked looking at Ori.
"Yeah.. but this is so unexpected, we're in unfamiliar territory, who knows what we'll see down the road.." Ori said a little worried on this.
"Hey.. if we can save one land.. we can save another.." Spike prayed before they both turned to Smolder who was still concerned on all of this.
"So, you two think you can save my brother? And save.. this entire land?" Smolder asked putting her arms around the area to get her point. Spike and Ori nodded in agreement saying that they believe so.
"Well.. if you need my help, you know where to find me. Please save my brother for me, he's.. all i have left.." Smolder begged looking down sadly.

Spike and Ori's ears both went down and they went up to her and held her hands to assure her that they can since they can't directly talk to her. She saw they really did mean well, and was glad they want to help.
"Thank you, you don't know how grateful i am for this. And Spike.. i'm sorry for what happened to you, you becoming a hybrid like this hurts to see, and i know you may be worried on losing yourself. But remember what my brother said, your more of a dragon then all of us, and your will to put your life on the line to save everyone, going through places and areas me and the other dragons wouldn't have bothered doing? That's what makes you special, if you push through this too, that just shows how awesome you really are." Smolder said with a smile kneeling down to him, Spike smiled softly and was glad to have some more encouragement like that.

"Thank you, i won't let you down.. i promise that.." Spike swore not wanting to fail another one this time. Even if Smolder can't understand him, she knows he's motivated.
"Good luck you two, i'll be at this village if you need anything, and be careful with those wings Spike, they'll start flying again when they're fully recovered." Smolder said with a thumbs up as she spread hers out and took out into the skies, just leaving the two of them alone now.

"So, we have to set out once again?" Spike asked ready to get things going.
"Looks like it, where should we go first?" Ori asked curious on how to start this. But before they could decide, a Moki came up to them and was holding something.
"We have something for the both of you, it will help you go far." The Moki explained handing them out Kuru's feather..
"T.. Thank you for this.. this really will help.." Spike said gratefully as Ori took it.
"We really appreciate this.. thank you so much.." Ori said gratefully as well putting it away.
"Your welcome Ori and Spike. We will stay and watch over your friends.." The Moki said before it ran off again to where Garble and Ku's body's were.
"Well, you ready to go Ori? It's gonna be a long journey." Spike asked turning to her.
"I'm ready, let's just hope this journey isn't our last.." Ori prayed as they both started to leave, starting they're search for the Wisps, and to save not just Garble and Ku, but the land of Nibel from being covered in the darkness...

Author's Note

Hey guys i hope you liked this again! I know this was short still, but it's the beginning of the journey for real, and the larger chapters will be focused on the parts where they go through the areas. I also gotta ask, what direction do you go first in this game? For me it's the water area, then darkness area, then the ice peak, but i'd like to know how you do them in order and maybe it could work better for the story. I'll make sure Spike and Ori interact with Smolder more when they can, and i'll try to make it the best it can be. I hope you liked this and look forward to more!

12: The Luma Pools

Spike and Ori continue to make they're way to their first destination to get the Wisps, if it was the only way to save Garble and Ku, they had to do it, no matter what. There was a lot going through Spike's mind at this point, Garble was the first Equestrian he had seen in months, it honestly felt like forever since he last saw him.

He didn't think he'd have a sister at all, but with her by his side, he seemed like a different person then what he saw him as, he barely knew who he was before and after the Migration, and he just thought he was kind of a big jerk like the ones he hung out with, but Smolder showed a different side to him he didn't expect. And that only was proven further when Garble literally sacrificed his life to save Spike's own, it gave him a new perspective he didn't see before, and it made Spike feel awful Garble died for him. Especially given the fact his sister may be alone now, even if it's true that the Mane 6 are coming here to find him, she may not have any family left, it just made him feel awful deep down.

And to make matter's worse, not only did he meet him after a long time, but they couldn't understand eachother. It was proving Spike's fears are coming true, if he can't even speak the Equestrian language or could be understood by Garble, then how will he go through things with the mane 6? The more they went through the Marshes, the more Spike worried on what is to come. This adventure started from something that wasn't in their control at all, and they never expected something like this to happen. Spike just felt like he was loosing himself, if he's losing the Equestrian side to him, and becoming more and more of a Spirit Guardian, how will he accept his place when so much awful stuff is happening?

Spike just didn't know what to do, with Ku and Garble having one chance to be brought back, they had to go through this entire land like they did before, but this felt so much bigger and dangerous. Spike felt dread as this adventure continued more and more, because at the end.. they both may not come back from this..

But while Spike was thinking this, they were finally making they're way to their first destination, they decided to hit the Luma Pools in the west side of the land first, it looked mostly like a tropical place with dozens of water pools and rivers and lakes, there was gonna be a lot of swimming here that's for sure, but they have their experience, and hopefully they can make it through this.

Spike and Ori made they're way past the waypoint marker which helped them go to where they wanted to go, they were just entering the Luma Pools area, they had to Bash off of more monster projectiles to spring themselves upwards the path that led to the place, it felt nice to finally be using the Bash again after a while, and they still had more ability's to remember and new ones to gain. After bashing off another projectile, Spike and Ori landed in front of the water pool that led forward.

"So, this is where we're gonna go first?" Spike asked curious, making sure this is the first place for them.
"Yeah, i think it'll be a good start, there's a lot of underwater caves from the looks of it, and it could lead us to finding that first Wisp." Ori said hopefully stretching her arms out to get ready for the swim.
"You know, it always amazed me on how well we learned to swim together back in Nibel, i wasn't much of a swimmer back home, but now i feel like a pro. And i think that's thanks to the amazing things i've done with you." Spike complimented watching the leaves fall from the area.
"I was barely a swimmer either, but with you, we both learned to hold our breaths for a while, i guess we both learned something from eachother during those times huh?" Ori asked chuckling a little which made him chuckle a bit too.
"Yeah.. good times, good times.." Spike said shaking his head, still a bit nervous about what's to come from this.
"Hey, don't worry Spike, we'll be alright. You ready for this?" Ori asked as they looked at the water below them, Spike took a deep breath and prepared himself too.
"Yeah, let's go." Spike replied before they both took a high jump and splashed into the water beginning to swim through it.

The two proceeded to swim through the caverns, and Spike took in the amazing sights, there were tons of colorful and strange shaped grass below them, followed by what looked like ruins of other structures far in the distance, and above them were some vines blocking the way forward, it seemed to lead somewhere else. And with a couple turns and taking down some more monsters with they're bash attack, they found what looked like a glowing blob that was at the end of the vine.

They both got the same idea from this, and given they saw a pod making some bubbles that not only can be for air, but also to potentially help them move forward, they both used it to open the path forward so the bubble can go through. They then quickly swam above the caverns while avoiding more of strange monsters to make it above, and after making it through that, they opened the path for the bubble again to give them a little air. Spike and Ori gave a thumbs up to eachother before they proceeded further once again, they swam through a nearby cave that was pretty dark, but the light radiating from them helped them see a way through, and they suddenly started to feel the current moving by really fast.

They were suddenly flung farther through the coral reef and were pushed forward into another part of the cave, and they could see the water surface above them, but the current was to strong for them to move through, so they had to take a detour. They found a strange blob that was blocking they're path forward, and they were suddenly being shot at by more of those hand creatures. They both got the same idea again seeing this, and they carefully used they're bash attack to redirect it into the blob to destroy it.

This caused it to free a huge wheel that was being blocked by it, and it began to slowly spin itself around again after who knows how long. They quickly made they're way to the wheel, and saw they could use it's sides as platforms to propel themselves out of the water. They carefully latched onto the side of the wheel as it spun upwards, and finally emerged from the water again after minutes of swimming.

"Man, underwater swimming really is something else.." Spike said taking in some breaths after all of that.
"Yeah, at least there were beautiful sights from it." Ori said before they climbed up the wall to the far right, they could see the blue sky shinning over the area, there were tons of strange but beautiful red trees around the area, and they saw a beautiful view of the Lumar Pools, followed by the coral reef they just traveled through, it was a breathtaking sight to be seen.

"Wow.. it's so amazing.." Spike said in awe seeing how this place looked.
"I know, it almost beats the sights we've seen in Nibel.." Ori agreed looking over this too, it felt so magical , like the sights Spike often saw back in Equestria.
"To think a beautiful place like this.. could be lost to darkness.." Spike said feeling sad thinking about what may come soon.
"I know, but sights like these only give us motivation to keep going, right?" Ori asked hopefully looking at Spike who was still worried about everything.
"Yeah.. maybe.." Spike said not really knowing what to say, but he knew there was hope they could save this land too.

As the two admired the view of this large beautiful part of Niwen, Voice had come out again to talk with them.
"When the Willow had shattered, the forest's strength fell here, It's power is keeping the pools safe from Decay, but we must find it soon Ori and Spike, it will not last forever here." Voice explained while the two listened with interest.
"To think something so strong could propel a spreading darkness like the Decay.." Ori said fascinated hearing this.
"If it means we can make the forest beautiful like Nibel was after we saved it, then let's get searching." Spike said getting ready to go already.
"Let's get that Wisp." Ori said determined as they begun moving through the place once again.

Right off the bat as they started moving through the Luma Pools, they saw a large bubble was floating out of the water which went to a higher area, and they both could see a farther path above it, and they got the same idea.
"Ori, you still got Kuro's feather?" Spike asked as they jumped on the bubble which sprung them high into the air and onto another ledge, as they landed, Ori got out the feather to prove she had it.
"Yes, you thinking what i'm thinking?" Ori asked ready to use it already as another bubble was rising.
"On 3, 1..2..3!" Spike shouted before she used the feather's wind to move the bubble ahead a bit, after that move they grappled up to one of the hooks above them, then jumped off the bubble which sent them higher above like they thought.

They grappled through a couple more hooks avoiding more spikey walls and floorings, another monster was firing shots at them which they needed to avoid, Spike brought out one of his Ninja stars and threw it at the monster to destroy it, and Ori finished it off by summoning her hammer to slam it down, these light weapons really can pack a punch. After they defeated that monster, they ran up the wall the monster was on, and jumped onto the ledge at the very top, and they found another one of those strange Ore's thats been laying around the land.
"Another one of these Gorlek Ores huh?" Ori asked as they picked it up for later.
"We should bring these to smolder when we pass by the village again, she could use these to help rebuild the place." Spike suggested which was a good idea.
"Great idea, it'll give her something to take her mind off of while she's here hopefully." Ori said as they started sliding down the wall again back to where they were before.

Spike used his wings to carefully glide himself back down to the ledge while Ori used Kuro's feather, while Spike had that too, he could use that for combat at certain points, after a little more gliding, they landed back on the high ledge and saw another Moki just up ahead of them. The two of them came up to the Moki quickly to hopefully get any hints on where to go further, and Spike was the first one to ask.
"Um, excuse us, have you seen any interesting things around here?" Spike asked the Moki who turned looking at them, they could understand it's language perfectly, while Smolder probably would have trouble without Voice translating, but they awaited for what he had to say.
"I don't have anything that interesting right now, but have you two seen Kwolok by any chance? I heard he came through here, i can't find him anywhere, it's a lot bigger then i remember the last time i was here." The Moki answer which gave them concern.

"Kwolok went through here? And he's having trouble being found?" Ori asked worried hearing that.
"Kinda worrying considering how big the guy is.. but don't worry, we'll go on ahead to find him." Spike assured which gave the Moki a little relief.
"Thanks, good luck you two, i'll go find any hints i can to help find him, be careful!" The Moki shouted before it ran off into the pools leaving the two worried.
"You think Kwolok's okay?" Spike asked already feeling concern about what's happened with him.
"Don't worry, i'm sure he's really strong, and can push through this place, let's just be sure to be careful ourselves okay?" Ori asked ready to move again.
"Alright, let's keep moving." Spike said as they went ahead through the pools even more.

They both saw there was another door ahead, which needed a lock to be pushed open, they saw a couple more bubbles rising ahead on multiple sides, and once again, they bounced off the bubbles to reach a higher area. They jumped off of a large tree to bounce up even higher, then they bashed off another enemy to propel themselves onto another wall, to jump off of and they dash across to the other side where a lever was waiting for them.
"Who designed these kinds of puzzles?" Ori asked curious as they pulled it together, this caused the door down below to open again letting them move ahead once more.
"I don't know, but it's impressive design to say the least." Spike said as they jumped off the ledge to glide back down to it.

After moving through that puzzle, the two went back underwater through a cave section they needed to go through again, Spike and Ori had gotten the hang of underwater puzzles pretty well at this point, and they had an idea on what to do. There was a creature that was shooting more projectiles at them, and they saw a cracked purple wall above them, followed by something blocking an air bubble below. Using they're powers, they redirected two separate projectiles into the weak areas below. And a bubble finally began to rise after who knows how long, they quickly swam back up to the surface and jumped onto a slippery ledge above, they then jumped off the bubble again which sent them to another high point of the cave, letting them move forward.
"Man, bouncing off of those bubbles is really fun!" Ori said feeling pretty great from that ride.
"Yeah, i have to admit, it is." Spike said with a smile as they continued moving forward again.

They redirected one of the bubbles to move through the path above, which made them quickly grapple to the start of the place, but go up another area that was above, they quickly made it to a ledge just as the same bubble was rising from it, and jumped off of it to go to another part of the area.

After that, they had to do a pretty cool puzzle where they had to touch some parts in the underwater caverns, and they all went off like a set musical note, they had to be careful on which one they touched first from the order there was. But after some careful pressing, they managed to unlock them all which opened up a path below that filled up with water. They quickly made they're way below it, and saw another projectile shooter that kept firing at them, they remembered another cracked wall just above them, and like before, they quickly swam through the place while keeping the object homed in on them, and with a little move, they sent that thing to the wall which broke it forward, leading them with yet another path.

The two carefully bounced off another bubble to go upwards into it. They went through a large open room that looked like a handmade home, it made them just wonder who lived in a place like this for so long, perhaps it was to avoid the Decay since this place didn't seem to be affected by it. They had to make it through another puzzle that involved redirecting once again, they opened up more paths for the projectiles move through, and you get the idea, bash it into another wall. They could figure these kinds of puzzles out instantly by now, Spike could just imagine him making his own adventure story like the ones he's read before, but he might have to make them more exiting in certain parts like this.

Seeing these many colors just made Spike appreciate what they had been seeing the more they went through here, the dozens of different colors of the coral reefs below them, the beautiful sights of the waterfalls going down through the dozens of caverns lit by the light radiating from the objects here. Spike just wished he and Ori weren't here on such a life changing mission, because if they discovered this place before knowing this land was in danger too, they may have had some fun here. But eventually, after a lot of underwater swimming, they emerged into a large open cavern once again.
"Man, i am so gonna do swimming trials if i ever get back home." Spike said taking a few breaths.
"I'd like to see that, you'd make a great athlete!" Ori complimented as they swam to another ledge, but they heard a loud familiar voice catch they're eye, and to they're surprise, they saw Kwolok was already here, and he seemed okay.

"Kwolok! Your here!" Ori said relieved he's alright.
"We thought something may have happened to you!" Spike said relieved as well seeing him, he had a soft smile seeing the two already made it here.
"Hello little ones, i am glad to see you made it here too. I must say, it is strange traveling through this place after so long, you both have given me hope that we can save this land, and i thank you for it.
"No problem Kwolok, we're always in it to help others!" Ori said with a smile while Spike had a determined smile too.
"Yeah, moving through this place was pretty easy." Spike said still impressed they made it through without much trouble.
"You may have right now little ones, but while i can sense the forests Strength nearby, i sense something else, a familiar.. bad stench." Kwolok explained which started to concern them.

"A bad stench?.. you don't think that could be.." Spike asked as they both got the same idea again, it could be that monster they saw back at the Watermill, they weren't in the best place to fight it, but if it's here, it could be even more trouble.
"If it is.. we have to be careful, it could be around any corner." Ori said concerned looking around the place.
"You both must be careful when searching through here, if what you say is true, then we all must be careful. We will talk more when the Wisp is found, please be careful little ones." Kwolok said before he suddenly jumped in the air above them which surprised them greatly, he jumped into the water below to start moving through a path below, which must mean there's something through there too.
"You think he'll be okay?" Ori asked concerned for him, because while they can resist the affects of the monster with their light.. he may not..
"I don't know.. let's just hurry after him.. i'm getting a bad feeling about this place.." Spike said concerned before they jumped back into the water, to swim after him, all the while hoping they could get that first Wisp..

Author's Note

Hey guys hope you liked this new chapter! Sorry for the wait again on this one, but i've been getting more time to get to this story again after a while, i know i haven't updated in a bit, but i'm getting back into it don't worry! I'm just making sure i can plan out what parts of the game to put in, i always went through the Luma Pools first, because i think it's a great way to start searching for the Wisp, while there wasn't much interaction for Spike and Ori here, i'll be having more down the line, i just hope they don't feel the same to you all. I hope you liked this chapter and look forward to more!

13: Recovering the First Wisp.. but at what cost?

After Spike and Ori saw Kwolok move through the cavern that was opened up below, they did some more exploring of the area around them, while being careful after feeling a strange presence nearby. They decided to head upwards to see what they could find first, it was a large place they had to explore, there was just so many different paths forward that it was hard to say what else there was.

The two started off again by climbing up another wall to make it to a higher area, they bashed off another lantern to latch themselves onto another wall, and with the right timing, they carefully jumped off it to jump to another bubble that was rising in the air, and they bounced all the way to another area in the cave. Seeing this kind of sight while they kept moving forward just made things really amazing, it let Spike appreciate what they had right now, and he hoped they could admire this places sights for a bit longer

"You know Ori.. seeing sights like this, remind me so much of what we saw before." Spike said amazed as they stopped to take a quick break.
"Yeah, it reminds me of the Misty forest we went through back in Nibel, only it wasn't nearly as nauseating." Ori said chuckling a little while shaking her head.
"Heh heh.. yeah.. i still feel dizzy from traveling through that place.." Spike said as that place really tested them when they went through it.
"Tell me about it, to think we had only been traveling for just a day through Nibel when that happened.. how time goes by when we go on these adventures.." Ori said as they looked at the walls of the caves around them, as they could see the crystal blue water reflecting off of them.
"Yeah, it just makes me wish we weren't always in such a hurry for our journeys, otherwise, i'd take in sights like these for far longer.." Spike said amazed at the beautiful sight.

"I wish Naru and Gumo were here for this, i think they'd really love a sight like this.." Ori said as they looked at they're reflections through the water.
"Hopefully they'll be with Twilight and the other's by the time we get the Wisps.." Spike said hopefully looking at his white body again, he felt so different compared to when he was a full dragon, seeing him as a hybrid will always affect him in ways he'd never think.
"Hopefully we see Smolder at that village again soon, i hope she's holding up okay, i can't imagine what she must be going through right now.." Ori said as her ears went down from the sad thought of her, this made Spike's ears go down too as this was something they relate too.

"She lost a loved one like we did.. and yet she's not able to go through places like this.. it just makes me wish we could've helped save Garble and Ku.." Spike said with regret holding back his tears from just thinking about them.
"Not to mention she knew him for far longer then we think, i can only imagine what they were like before he..." Ori said not even finishing it, it was a very sad thing to think about, as they both know how losing someone is.
"If we can bring him back, hopefully we can find a way to talk with him.. even if i can't speak to them fully anymore.." Spike said sadly remembering the fact he can't speak Equestrian anymore..
"Don't worry Spike, i'm sure we'll find a way, i'm here for you, you know that." Ori said putting her hand on his shoulder, Spike sighed a bit trying to let that sink in, she was the only one he had at his moment, and just didn't wanna lose her.
"Thanks, and i'll be here for you too, let's get going, i'm sure Kwolok found something ahead of us." Spike said as they went to the water ledge ahead of them.
"Let's go Spike." Ori said before they jumped into the water once again to swim after him.

The two swam through the reef once again making they're way through the place again, they had another door fragment problem they needed to find, so they started moving through the area to find them. They got one of them through redirecting another enemy blast through the water, and bashing off of it to reach a ceiling that contained one of them, then they redirected a bubble to move through the air again to reach another one. They got the third one by simply grappling off another hook to reach one that was on the side of the wall, and they got the last one through simply gliding down another part of the area where it was on the side again.
"That's all of them, let's try and find that door now." Spike said putting the last one in the bag.
"Great work, let's go." Ori said simply before they went off once again.

After getting through that little puzzle, they continued holding onto the door fragments while moving through once more. They grappled all the way to the top with they're whips, and used the bubbles with their feathers to direct themselves higher. Afterwards, they went into an area where there were dozens of bubbles flying through the air, making it look like a fun time to go through this one.
"Well, this should be fun." Spike said with a smile getting ready for this.
"Whoever gets to the top first wins! Let's go!" Ori shouted before they both jumped off the ledge and onto the rising bubbles. They both laughed in pure joy as the bubbles sprung them even higher into the area, it was one of the most fun parts of this adventure so far.
"This is so cool!" Spike shouted flipping through the air with Ori.
"I know! It feels like we're endlessly jumping!" Ori shouted in joy as well as they went even higher into the place. They could see the end of the ride. After they had that fun moment, they were able to find another Energy Cell to help power them up even more, these Energy and Life Cells they kept finding through this place was a big help, this was a tougher adventure then the last one they were on together, and it's best they collect as much as they need.

After that moment, they made they're way back to find the door, and they soon found it far behind the way they came in. They finally used the fragments to open up the door and it showed them another way through the place, and to their surprise, they found yet another Sprit Tree here, in the middle of this cave.
"Wow.. who knew so many Spirit Guardians were around this land too.." Spike said really surprised on how many they've seen so far.
"I know.. at least this one managed to find itself in a beautiful place.." Ori said as she felt sad seeing another one had passed here, but at least it had a beautiful sight before it left..

The two went over to the Sprit Tree once more, and they absorbed the beautiful and powerful light once again, they floated around in the air once more as the energy flowed into them, until they finally landed back down feeling a new power within them.
"I can feel it, this one will help us dash through water, kinda like what we can do now." Ori said as they took a few stretches to let the power settle in.
"Man, it amazes me on just how much we get from these.." Spike said looking at his bright body again, it felt stronger now, and it could give them a chance against whatever threat lies here.
"This may help us push through the strong currents that were coming through the path Kwolok went through, let's go back there." Ori suggested getting ready to leave.
"Let's hope he's okay." Spike prayed as they jumped back into the water once again.

With the Water Dash ability, Spike and Ori were able to traverse through these water areas far faster now, like Ori suggested, this power let them push through any strong current that blocked them previously, it felt so similar to the dash in areas, but also so different in other ways, this will prove to help them a lot in the future with whatever water areas they go through next, it was so strong to use, it helped them so much when making they're way through here now, it was kinda unfair though.

This ability allowed them to spring out of the water high into the air whenever they used to exit the water, it was a great way for traversal and movement now, it will help them for sure. After getting used to their new power, they quickly used it to solve another music puzzle, and that made the water they were swimming in drain below them so it could open another door forwards that led back to where they started. Using what they had learned through going around this place, they memorized the layout of the place to help them move back to the area they saw Kwolok.

After some more swimming, they finally swam they're way back to the room they found Kwolok, the area was getting a bit darker underwater now, but that must mean they were close to getting that Wisp now. Using they're new power, they were able to push past the strong currents and crushing traps that were blocking the way before, letting them finally move through the place. They managed to find another Spirit Well here which gave them a moment to relax, every time they rested in one of them, it felt so refreshing, like the light was restoring every damaged cell and part where they're body was hurt, it was so relaxing.

And finally, after that last rest, they made they're way through what they hoped were the last parts of the cavern, but something strange they noticed is that the area was starting to get more red around them, there was less of the beautiful blue and greens that surrounded the area before, and now they felt like something bad was just up ahead of them. And with the Water Bash, they finally burst out of the water again to see what's ahead.

"Man, that move really feels good to use." Spike said flexing a bit which made Ori chuckle a little.
"Yeah, it really will help with our swimming, but.. do you notice something strange about this place Spike? Or is it just me?" Ori asked as they looked around the place, and saw it looked more.. poisoned..
"If.. Kwolok made it through here.. then that may mean.." Spike said as his expression turned to fear as they realized he may be in trouble. And as they were about to move further, multiple Moki suddenly ran up to them and looked really worried.
"Guys, what's wrong?" Ori asked worried as they were all getting a bad feeling now.
"Something's wrong with Kwolok! Please hurry to him!" The Moki begged which made them scarred.
"Ori, come on!" Spike shouted quickly running ahead of them, Ori didn't waste another second and quickly followed behind hoping they're friend was okay.

They quickly made they're way to the path ahead, and up ahead, they saw Kwolok was there. But something was wrong, his eyes were pure white, and in front of him.. was a familiar Wisp..
"Ori.. is that?" Spike asked shocked as they may have finally found it.
"It must be.." Ori said as they actually found it, it was the first Wisp they needed!
"Ori, Spike, it's the Strength of the Forest! Kwolok found it!" Voice said amazed at it came out to see it, but Kwolok wasn't moving right, something was wrong..
"Kwolok.. are you okay?" Spike asked worried as he could barely speak. Voice tried to reach for the Wisp they needed, but Kwolok suddenly ate it.
"What?! Kwolok! What's wrong with you?!" Ori asked scarred as he was suddenly growling at them.

Kwolok began to sink below the water strangely which made them worried.
"Ori, what's going.." Spike asked scarred before something bad happened, large dark tentacles burst out of the water which knocked them both back from the huge burst which shocked both of them.
"Ori! What's happening?!" Spike asked scarred as they got up, they both watched the tentacles rise through the water, and their horror, they saw the same monster they had barely escaped from the Watermill, and what's worse, it was latched onto Kwolok, seemingly controlling him against his will.
"No.. this can't be.." Ori said horrified as they're possessed friend roared at them both.
"Ori! RUN!!" Spike screamed grabbing his hand as the monster chased after them using Kwolok as a puppet.

Spike couldn't believe what was happening, the one that gave them hope to saving Garble and Ku was being controlled by the same monster they thought died from the collapsing area they escaped from, but now it was controlling a guardian and friend. Spike hated himself for letting this happen to another person, first it was Ku, then Garble, and now him, if this happens to more of their friends.. Spike just doesn't know how to what to feel during this moment, but one thing he did feel right now, was fear.

Spike and Ori both screamed with fear as they tried to out run the monster chasing them, the place was shaking all around them which made it a bit hard to run across, they had to bash through another wall to try and get to higher ground. The monster wasn't giving up on this chase, and was tearing through any piece of rubble that came it's way.
"Ori look out!" Spike screamed as he pushed her away from a falling rock and smashed it with his hammer.
"This way! Hurry!!" Ori screamed while they kept running as fast as they could. They were barely dodging any hands that were bursting through the ground below them that tried to grab them, it was a fear they hadn't felt in a long time since the last time they were chased down back in Nibel, it was a true feeling of dread they didn't know they would feel.

"Ori! Jump!" Spike screamed as they were coming upon another underwater path, they both ran as fast as they could to the water and jumped into it. They both repeatedly used they're Water Bash to try and out run the monster, but it was an extremely fast swimmer and was gaining on them fast, Spike and Ori dashed through any fallen rubble that was coming down on them, but there were dozens of hands that were bursting below them that were trying to bring the cavern below to crush them. Spike muffled through the water as they could barely keep they're breaths held from all this pressure, they kept dashing through the water as fast as they could, just hoping they could find the way out. More monsters kept coming at them, but they didn't even have time to fight them off as the monster was right behind them and roared at them through the water.

Spike and Ori could see the way out just up ahead, and they used they're Water Bash to spring themselves out just as the monster lunged at them, the two screamed with fear as they went flying out of the water with the monster right behind them, Spike grabbed Ori's hand and used the grapple to latch them to another part of the wall which made the creature miss them, Spike and Ori quickly ran up another wall as the creature roared with rage again and resumed chasing them instantly. Spike and Ori flipped over more falling rocks to give them some air, Spike summed his sword to slash through them to try and clear a path, and Ori kept using the Bash move to fling forward ahead, the monster was barely being faced by the objects that could've crushed it, and it only used Kwolok to shield itself which just enraged Spike seeing him be tortured like this.

"Spike! Over there!" Ori shouted as they could see an open area just up ahead.
"Come on!" Spike shouted as they were avoiding more hands that were bursting out of the ground, with one final leap, they landed in an open area that was large enough for the both of them and the monster, the monster burst through the walls and landed in front of them, and it roared at them with the possessed Kwolok.
"Ori, please don't tell me we have to do this.." Spike said horrified they had to fight him.
"As much as i hate to do this, we have no choice, i'm sorry Kwolok!" Ori said with tears as they summoned they're swords of light as the monster roared at them both again.

Spike used his powers to summon his bow that can shoot multiple arrows at once, while Ori used her hammer to give in some heavy damage, Spike flipped off of the falling rocks that were falling down around the place to get a good shot on the monster, the body was extremely dense, but they're powers were strong enough to make a dent in it. The monster used Kwolok to try and latch it's tongue at them both, but Ori dodged the attack and used the hammer to smash onto it making it roar with rage.
"Sorry!" Ori shouted with regret as this was hard for all of them.

The ground shook beneath them again and they barely were avoiding more hands bursting through the ground.
"Ori! Take out the hands first!" Spike shouted as he used the bow to shoot them directly in the center.
"Got it!" Ori shouted before she flipped in the air and turned her hammer into a sword again to slash at a few of the hands, one of them did a sweep of the ground and Spike had to backflip off it to avoid taking damage.
"Let go of our friend!!" Spike screamed with rage before he took a deep breath and shot a stream of white fire at the monster making it roar with pain which made the hands retract. Spike used his wings to land back on the ground, they were still crumpled up a bit, but could be used for gliding and mild air jumps by now, but this wasn't an area to use them to their fullest.

The monster roared at them once again and began shooting out multiple hands found the ground again while using Kwolok to shoot blasts at them. Spike and Ori both dodge rolled out of the way to avoid taking damage again, but a hand burst through the ground and hit Ori just as she stopped for a moment.
"Ori!" Spike shouted with fear as he flipped over more of the bursting hands and slashed at them to take them down. Spike rolled under a few more that went right above him and slid down to Ori.
"You okay?" Spike asked concerned helping her up, they both yelped in shock as the monster kept shooting it's tongue at them to take them down, but they were using they're Dash move to try and avoid it.
"Spike! Get ready!" Ori shouted summoning her sword again as multiple hands were lunging at them all.
"Let's go!" Spike screamed as they both charged at the hands.

Spike backflipped out of the way as one lunged at him, he then jumped in the air and made a battle cry before stabbing the thing in the center making it sink into the ground. Ori slid right under the hands and flipped right between the fingers of one of them before using her bow to fire multiple shots at it, Spike then used his whip to swing off of multiple hands and spin around like a spiral, he used the whip he had to tie up multiple of the hands at once before using his strength to slam them into the ground. Ori and Spike finished those hands off by using they're hammers and crushing them so hard it made a large crater from it's impact, and all of them vanished once again while they took heavy breaths.

But they barely had time to rest, he place began to shake even more and they watch with shock as the place was beginning to fill with water.
"Ori! Get ready!" Spike shouted as the water was flooding most of the room.
"I hate that we have to do this!" Ori shouted with regret as they took deep breaths as the water filled most of the area. The monster used Kwolok to shoot multiple strings of poisonous attacks at them through the water and Spike and Ori had to use their Water Dash to try and avoid them. The water filled up about half of the room, and it was getting hard to land an attack on it. Spike and Ori both dashed out of the way and used they're powers to burst through the water and fling high into the air.
"Let him go!!" Ori screamed with rage as they both summoned they're bows.
"Stay dead you monster!!" Spike shouted before they took close aim at the monster and powered up a final shot, they both made a battle cry again before unleashing one final shot and combined they're powers together. The monster barely had time to react right before it saw the powerful attack charge right at him, and it impaled both him and the controlled Kwolok at once and the monster screamed with pain.

The monster lunged around the entire room slamming against dozens of walls at once, Spike and Ori both quickly dodged whatever desperate attack it had before they saw it rise into the room trying to escape.
"After it!" Spike shouted as they quickly dashed out of the water and onto a wall to run on.
"Please be okay Kwolok!" Ori prayed as they hurried as fast as they could. They both climbed up a nearby vine that could help them get higher, they both prayed they're friend was okay, they both put quite the hurt on it, but the collateral damage is what they were most worried about.

The two jumped out of the pit they were in and heard the monster roaring again, Spike and Ori quickly ran just up ahead and they saw Kwolok had pinned the monster to the ground.
"Kwolok!" They both shouted at once as they watched him crush the monster for good, finally getting rid of it, but he looked weak, and it began to worry them both.
"Are you okay?" Ori asked worried as they made it up to him.
"Kwolok, we're so sorry, we tried the best we could to help you.." Spike said with regret as they could see he was hurt, but he seemed to have a calm look on him like they always saw from him.

"It is okay little ones... what matters is that you, and the Strength of the Forest are safe.." Kwolok said weakly as he was barely moving.
"It isn't just us we have to keep safe, we need to keep you and everyone else here safe too, if we couldn't save Garble or Ku, and now you.. what more will we lose?" Spike asked with tears in his eyes, this was something his fears were warning him about.
"There are some things that can't be reversed young one, but that doesn't mean we can learn from those mistakes, and become something.. so much more.." Kwolok said while Ori rubbed his head.
"He's right Spike, we still have a chance to save this forest.." Ori said trying to encourage him, but Spike still didn't know what to say about this.

"Spike.. Ori.. it has been so long since i've had hope for this land, you both have shown great strength and courage when moving through here, you mustn't give up on your journey now. There will be tough moments in every journey, that includes this one.. but if you push through it, you will be stronger then you ever think you could be.." Kwolok encouraged which did help Spike a bit.
"It's just.. what are we supposed to do? Even if we retrieve the other Wisps.. what will happen to the rest of the forest? What if.. we fail.." Spike asked with fear trying not to think about it.
"You shouldn't let your fears control you young Spike, you must push through them. I know you have the strength to do it, it will be what the forests needs, it needs your courage to push through it, i know you can do it.." Kwolok advised looking even weaker now.
"He's right Spike, you pushed through your visions when you were becoming a hybrid, and we're able to save Kuro back in Nibel, if you can do it once, i know you can do it again. And i'll be by your side, i promise you that Spike." Ori assured giving Spike another hug again.
"T.. thanks Kwolok.. Ori.." Spike said gratefully holding her close for a moment.

Kwolok was taking heavy breaths as he knew his time has come.
"Ori.. Spike.. i only have one request for when i go.. " Kwolok asked which worried them.
"And.. what would that be?" Ori asked sadly looking up at him.
"Please.. find the other wisps.. bring them together, and the Moki.. take care of them for me.. please watch over this land.. you both.. may be the only ones who can.. " Kwolok begged as his breath was leaving him, Spike and Ori slowly walked to him and placed they're hands on him as they felt his life going.
"We.. promise.. we won't let you down.." Spike swore as they could see his body fading away.
"Thank.. you..." Kwolok said as he finally faded away, they both watched him die together and saw his body fade into a bright light before vanishing completely..

Spike and Ori began to cry as they saw they're friend go, and the Wisp they had been trying to get was free, and slowly went down to them.
"Kwolok.." Spike said with regret as they watched Voice fly up to it and absorb the light into itself, it was a way to help contain it, and it only helped them with they're quest just a bit.
"We're sorry Kwolok.." Ori said with sadness as Spike began to break down, this was becoming too much for him, they had already lost they're sister and Garble, and now they lost this forests guardian, and without him.. who will protect the forest?
"Spike.. i promise it's gonna be okay.." Ori assured as they both hugged eachother while crying again as the sun shone down on them both.

"Ori.. how are we gonna get through this if all the ones we know keep dying? If we couldn't save Kwolok.. can we even save Garble and Ku?" Spike asked with fear while crying heavily.
"We were able to get the first wisp, which means we're closer to saving them, we'll be going through tough moments like this sure, it was like how we went through in our last adventure. But we pushed through it didn't we? I'm sure we can do it here too." Ori assured as they both looked at eachother.
"Yeah.. but what if we won't see our friends again? Twilight.. Smolder.. Naru and Gumo and Kuro.. how will they be able to move on if.. they couldn't see us?" Spike asked scarred looking at himself.
"I don't know Spike, but we still have the chance to see them, i know we can." Ori assured once more as they both turned to look at the sunset.

"Ori.. if even my own kind can't understand me.. how will i be able to handle things with Twilight.. if i'm losing what made me.. a dragon.. then what am i?" Spike asked shaking from the fear of those thoughts.
"Your still Spike, no matter what happens, i'll be with you always, you were the first person i met after Naru passed, you were the only person that helped give me courage to journey through Nibel to save it, i don't want to be alone on this. You mean so much to me Spike, and i know we can get through this together. " Ori said with some confidence holding out her hand, Spike took a moment to process it, it was a lot for them right now, but if Ori is able to keep her confidence up, then why shouldn't he too?
"Your right.. as long as i'm with you, we'll get through this right?" Spike asked regaining his courage finally which made Ori smile.
"Of course Spike, come on, let's start heading to the next Wisp, i think the one in the South's our best bet for now." Ori said ready to go.
"good idea, we'll stop by the village for a bit to see if Smolder's okay, let's just hope we can get the Wisps before darkness comes.." Spike prayed as they began to move again.
"We will Spike.. we have too.." Ori said with hope as they finally began to leave again, even with Kwolok gone, they had the first Wisp now, and they could only hope they could get the others before something worse happens..

Author's Note

Hey guys hope you liked this! Seeing Kwolok die was really sad in this, even if we didn't know him much as a person in the short time we knew him, it was still sad he died like this, but it's just one piece of the emotions that we feel when going through this, i'll be sure to make this story handle the emotions the best i can, there's some ideas i have for it and i hope you look forward to them, thanks for reading this and hope you have a great day guys!

14: Grief

After Smolder left to the village that was nearby the Marshes, Spike and Ori left to gather the wisps that could save her brother, and Ku's life too, she had so much to process now that she's lost her brother, while the chance of him coming back is possible, the thought of him being gone forever just.. hit her in different ways she's never felt before.

Smolder was always the younger sister to him, but she always often helped him out of bad situations he got himself into, the crew he hung around with back in Equestria made a bad influence on what he did, she never liked the dragons Garble used to hang around with, they were clearly intimidating him when no one was looking, she can tell Garble was not comfortable with being constantly pushed to do something he doesn't want, it was kind of obvious on her perspective.

But now, they were thousands of miles away from Equestria, from them, and she and her brother already went through so much, they only came here to find Spike and hopefully can bring him home, but given his condition, things may not be able to be normal ever again, she only just met Twilight and the other's recently, and even here she can tell Twilight is gonna have a rough time with handling Spike's.. unique problem.

Smolder had arrived back at the village by sunset after her Ori and Spike left, and her brother.. died. She felt extremely sad at the thought she was alone in this world now, Garble was really the only person she could go to when she needed it, and now that he's gone.. she has no one left..

"Why.. why did it have to be you? You were just trying to help us? Why did you have to.. leave me?" Smolder asked with tears while she looked at the sunsetting through the forest, it was a beautiful sight to behold, but nothing was helping the grief she was trying to go through, she always hated the loss of a loved one, having to go through this loss is painful, no matter who passes on, she and Garble spent so much time together as siblings, and she hoped this adventure would be what finally has him get the respect he needed after all this.. but it only costed him his life.

"I don't know how I can go on without you.. You meant so much to me.. and now.. I'm.. all on my own.." Smolder said while she was crying heavily, she didn't know what to do, she wished they never came here, he would still be alive, he would still be with her.. they would still be a family..

"You were all I had.. we were all we had.. and now.. one of us has to face this world on our own, and I don't know if I can do it without you.." Smolder said with sadness while she didn't stop crying, the loss of her brother hit her so hard, there wasn't much she could do, except grieve the loss of someone who meant so much to her..

Spike and Ori were finally arriving back at the village after retrieving the first wisp, while they were glad to have retrieved it, the loss of Kwolok left them feeling really upset, they could've done something to save him, but they weren't able to do anything.. They could only put him down after that monster took him over.. even with his last words, Spike felt like he was responsible for all of this..

"Well.. we have the first wisp.. but.. if we keep losing close ones to us like this.. is it even worth it to keep going Ori?" Spike asked sadly while they slowly walked through the place, the villagers were going into they're houses tonight, and even with they're new moves, they needed time to process the loss.

"I don't know Spike, we're only at the first of the 4, while we know where to go, I myself am unsure if we should keep going, Kwolok was old sure, but he was still the forests guardian, and without him.. what will become of the place?" Ori asked with concern as they saw the beautiful place, even with how it looks now, they fear the spreading darkness, and Kwolok's death, will lead it further into darkness.

Ori and Spike both had a look of regret seeing how this place may be without the forests Guardian, but maybe they'll be able to find a way to help the forest move on when they're journey is over. And that's when Spike remembered a certain friend of theirs that's still here, and he was worried for how she's feeling right now.

"Hey, Ori, think we should check on Smolder? I think she may be still upset about.. you know?" Spike asked referring to what happened with Garble, and she looked regretful being asked that.

"I think it's best we check on her, she must have a lot on her mind, and we do too, I think it's best we try to help her through loss, we know the feeling.. right Spike?" Ori asked while they walked through the place, and took in how calm it was.

"Yeah, come on, I think I hear her just up ahead.." Spike encouraged before the two quickly made they're way to her, Spike had a feeling this was something she really needed right now, and hopefully a little support can help her get through this.

Smolder was still crying at the edge of the ledge, still watching the sun get lower and lower by the minute, but as each second past, she just felt more sad the more she thought about her brother.

"Why couldn't it have been me? I know you were wanting to make up for your mistakes.. but.. this was.. too much.." Smolder said regretfully while she kept on crying. It didn't take long for Spike and Ori to show up and they saw her crying by herself, they both figured she would be really upset by this still, and they at least wanted to help her process this grief.

Smolder felt a light come next to her and she looked to her right and saw Spike and Ori had finally come back, they both looked really worried for her given what she's feeling right now.

"Hey.. you doing alright Smolder?" Spike asked with worry for her, but she still couldn't understand his language right now, but she could perfectly see what they're asking her.

"No.. I'm not.. I.. haven't been doing too well since.. my brother.." Smolder said with guilt while she couldn't even finish that sentence.

"Don't worry Smolder.. we understand this pain.." Ori said regretfully while they all sat down next to her.

Voice came out to help translate for her so she could understand them, but Smolder seemed to far into her mind to focus right now on what's been happening. They all were in a rough state right now with what was taken from them, and even if Spike and Ori got the first Wisp, it wasn't without a big cost..

Voice came up to Smolder in order to help translate again, while Spike wishes he could speak to her normally again, with the state he's in now, this is the only option they have now.
"So.. did you two.. retrieve the first Wisp?" Smolder asked hopefully, these were the only things that could save this forest, and maybe even Garble and Ku's lives, Spike and Ori confirmed it by simply nodding they're heads in response.

"Yeah, we managed to get it at the Luma Pools, but that's only one of them, there's still a few more we need to get before we can really restore things, it really is like what happened back in Nibel honestly.." Spike said with guilt as he and Ori sat down next to her to look over the sunset.

Smolder was told this through Voice's words, it was good news to hear that they got the first Wisp, and as much as she wants to help them get the rest, she just doesn't have the ability's they do. As she looked at Spike, she can see just how much this last adventure affected him, and she was just really worried for him.
"You know Spike.. I don't think any of us would've expected you to become like.. this, even if you and I haven't met before this, I never would've expected something like this happening to you.." Smolder said with guilt as she looked over his pure white body, not a single scale of him was purple like before, he was really a hybrid of Ori's kind and the dragons at this point.

Spike looked down with some level of guilt again hearing that, he's been questioning this kind of thing for a while now, and with this new adventure they're on here, Spike just doesn't know if it'll help him or not..
"I don't think any of us would've Smolder, one night.. I was looking out my window, wondering if there would ever be a moment where I could do something great like Twilight and the others, then it happened, and.. it ended up with me looking.. like this..." Spike said with regret as he looked over the view, he could see his reflection in a river just next to them, and Spike's worries just wouldn't go away from seeing it.

"Spike, you know this doesn't change who you are, your still you, your still Spike. Even if you look different, it doesn't change it, I thought we talked about this before right?" Ori asked with concern while Spike looked back on that talk they had.

"I know we did.. multiple times if I remember, but I just.. can't get over the feeling something might happen to us.. we just lost our sister Ori, and Smolder lost her own brother, who just wanted to try and make up for what happened back in Equestria. And.. it ended up costing his life..." Spike said with sadness as he remembered what Garble did to save him..

Smolder could hear this talk through Voice still, and Garble being mentioned just had tears come from her eyes again, she wished he was here so much right now, she never thought this would happen to him, but he did it in a way to save them all.
"I know.. but.. he.. did it to save us.. he saved you.. when I saw Shriek for the first time.. I.. felt like we wouldn't make it out of that situation, she just felt so monsterous.. cruel, and wicked, full of nothing but anger, and sorrow..." Smolder said with fear as she remembered how terrifying she was.

Ori and Spike had felt the same way about this when hearing her name, she looked like someone they may not be able to save, if she's an obstacle that won't get out of they're way when it comes to saving Nibel.. they.. may need to put her down to end it..
"I know.. I just.. wish there was a way to learn more about her, if there was more about what caused her to be like this.. maybe there might be a way..." Spike prayed while hoping there was something they could find out about her out there, but that just made Ori more concerned by the thought of it.

"I do too Spike.. but.. if we do find out something about her, what if it only shows us that there is no saving her? What kind of cruel fate is that? To be in that state, both full of anger, sadness, and loneliness forever? On one hand it could help us find a way, but on the other.. it may only show us we can't save her either.." Ori said with sadness, even if she did kill Garble and Ku, they wanted to at least know more of the reason behind it, and whether or not it can help them save this land.

"Sometimes.. there just may be no other way.. if you had to make that sacrifice when saving Nibel Spike, you... may have to do something similar for this land too.." Smolder said sadly while thinking over this, she still felt awful for what happened to Spike back in Nibel, every dragon who saw it did, even if it showed how strong willed Spike is, the cost was something that will forever be known.

Spike looked down sadly hearing that, as much as he wanted to try and find a way to help Shriek, the more he thinks about it, the more he sees that this.. just may not end up the way they'll want it..
"All of this happened so suddenly.. we ended up in this land separated from Ku, while it seemed like another adventure at first like our last one.. the more we went into it, the more we could see how much bigger it is, and even if we got the first Wisp.. it wasn't without another tragedy.." Spike said as he still felt grief over Kwolok's death.

Smolder had a bad feeling something may have happened to Kwolok once he left for the Luma Pools, and hearing this from him just showed they were true.
"He's.. not here anymore.. is he?" Smolder asked with regret which made Ori cry a bit.

"He.. got taken over by the same monster that held up the Water Mill's gears that prevented the waters from being safe, it.. tried using him against his will to destroy us, while we managed to free him and destroy the monster for good, he.. was just too weak to carry on.. we only got the first Wisp.. after he was already gone.." Ori said with sorrow as she remembered that moment.

"I'm.. really sorry for this you two.. I.. wish I could've helped, but with how dangerous it's said to be, and.. with the loss of my brother, I.. don't think I could've done anything.." Smolder said with tears as she thought over this.

This made Spike curious on hearing it, while he still had trouble with Garble back in Equestria before all of this happened, seeing what Garble did to make up for this, and him having a sister like Smolder made him curious about some things.
"Smolder.. what was he like? I never really got to know him too personally outside of that incident, what did he like to do? How close were you two?" Spike asked with interest which made Smolder reflect back on her life.

"He.. was the only one there for me when I needed it, the Dragon Lands aren't exactly the best place to make friends like the rest of Equestria is Spike, even the crew he hung around with was a bad influence on him, making him do things he didn't want, and making fun of his own likes and hobbies, and he left them because of it, so he could spend more time with me.." Smolder explained with a small smile as she remembered how much fun she used to have with him.

"I'm glad to hear he left those jerks, but what did he like to do? What happened before you all.. found out what happened with me..?" Spike asked with worry once more.

"Garble was really into poetry, he just liked doing stuff like this other dragons wouldn't have even thought of, he and I stayed together and supported eachother like any brother and sister would. Even if he seemed like a tough guy at first, deep down, he was a real softy, and often just liked to play around. Once you got to know him, he was just a really great person to be around with.. especially considering how most dragons can be like.." Smolder explained some more which was interesting to them.

"I wish I could've gotten to know him, even if we barely knew him, with how you've described him.. I just wish that we could've stopped this.. if we hadn't gone out to fly a few days back.. none of this would've happened.." Ori said with regret, all they wanted was to help they're own sister Ku with flying, but it was because of that storm they ended up in this land.. and now.. they're both gone..

Spike closed his eyes and had tears coming from him too, all of this grief, loss, and guilt they shared told Spike just how much is at stake here, even if they do save the forest, what may have to be sacrificed for it is something Spike just can't describe.
"We've all suffered through loss from being here.. even if we gained some things like some new powers, learning a bit more about the Spirit Guardians, it just didn't stop tragedy's like this from happening.. and.. we can't let it keep happening like this.." Spike said as he was starting to stand up.

Smolder and Ori looked at Spike as he wiped away his tears, and tried pushing past this again, he didn't want people to keep losing things like this, and if they don't get the other wisps soon, things will only get worse.
"We may have the first Wisp, but we need to get the other two to save this forest, and hopefully Garble and Ku, the next one should be in the South part of the land which was shrouded in darkness from what we saw of it, if we're gonna stop this, we need to get moving." Spike said with a serious look while Ori was standing up too.

"Spike's right.. we can't let you just suffer through this pain even more Smolder, we won't do anything by sitting around here, we need to go out and get it. I'm really sorry for what's happened with you Smolder, but we will make this up, we will save our family's." Ori assured while Smolder still felt unsure about it.

"Are you sure? What if something happens while you two are out there again? What can I do to help?" Smolder asked with worry while Voice went back to Spike and Ori again, and Spike got an idea on what she could do to help.

"You think you can find where Twilight and the others are? If they're on they're way to this land right now, they shouldn't be too far off with Gumo and Naru, think you can handle that?" Spike asks with hope while he helped Smolder up, while Smolder wanted to go with them for this, Twilight and the others need to know what's going on, and she just hopes that they'll handle themselves when going to get the next Wisp.

"I.. think I can handle that, It shouldn't be too hard to find them, but what about you? Will you two be okay?" Smolder askes as Spike and Ori look to the exit of the village, and they knew that they needed to go now.

"Don't worry Smolder, we'll be okay, we've made it out of bad situations before, I promise you we'll make it back." Ori assured while Spike looked up at Smolder, and gave her a calm smile to help her too.

"I promise we'll be safe, we'll save Garble and Ku soon, please just be careful yourself, when you find Twilight and the others, tell them I promise I'll make it back to them when this is over." Spike promised which gave Smolder some hope that they can do this.

"Okay.. I'll.. be back when I can, I'll head back here for an update on what's happening with them soon, just be careful with where your going okay?" Smolder asked while she was starting to spread her wings, and Spike spread his own so he could flap them too.

"Don't worry Smolder, we will, be safe." Spike encouraged as Ori hopped on Spike's back before he took off and flew out of the village to the South of Nibel, while Smolder was just left worried on what may happen with them.

"You be safe too.. thank you.." Smolder said gratefully before she took off to the skies too and started heading off land, she had a feeling Twilight and the others were on they're way, and she prayed they can meet up with Spike before something worse comes..

Author's Note

Hey guys thanks for reading this. I am very, VERY sorry for this long delay on the next chapter, I just had so many other stuff to work on, and tried getting those out too. I know this story has gotten multiple delays for the chapters like this, and I'm very sorry for it, but with where I am now with my writing experience, I'm wanting to give this story my all, and make it the best it can be before we reach the conclusion.

I'm going to be updating the story's grammar to how it is here in previous chapters, but it's just so I can make this story better to read, again, very sorry for the wait, but I will make sure the story is properly finished like my other ones, I just hope you liked this chapter, feel free to leave me ideas on where to take the story next, and I hope you look forward to more of it!

Prologue: Our Little Sister And The Separation

We open to a beautiful sunrise as our two heroes Ori and Spike are seen together near a tree holding each others hands, despite everything they've been through.. Spike still feels like something is missing

"Ori.. do you think we'll ever do something like saving Nibel again?" Spike asked and she looked confused on that.
"What do you mean? After we've saved the place, i don't think we will as of now." Ori asked still confused, she then noticed Spike was feeling down a little.

"It's just.. i feel like something isn't finished, that we have something else needed to be done.. and i.. i'm afraid that i may never see my friends again from it.." Spike said afraid of the future, Ori simply put her hand on his shoulder and looked at him.

"Don't overthink yourself from this sweetie, i think it's best we all just enjoy our times as of now, i promise you'll see your friends again one day" She told him with a smile while giving him a hug which he gladly returned.

"Thank you Ori, i guess i just was feeling unsure, but i'm glad to have you with me." Spike said relieved, they both continued to hug like this for a while until they heard a voice call them.

"Children!" A familiar voice spoke, they both got up and ran over to see what he needs, they find Gumo near a small cliff.
"Wonderful news, we have a new member to the family!" He says exited, they're eyes widen in excitement as they hear that.

"Really?!" Spike asked exited.
"Why didn't you tell us sooner?! Let's go!" Ori said grabbing Spike's hand as they went to see they're new family member.

Spike and Ori quickly make they're way to they're cave while watching the sunrise come by through Swallows Nest, Kuro is seen flying to the place as she heard the news as well.

"We shall always remember the day.." A ominous voice spoke as they were near the cave.

"My child has come!" Kuro says happy as she, Naru and Gumo all are seen with Naru holding a small little owlet and Spike and Ori come up to him.

" When new life came to Nibel.." The voice finishes as they see they're new brother.

"He's so cute.." Spike says looking at him, Ori and Spike take a hold of him and he opens his eyes and they cuddle with him.
"What are you going to name him?" Ori asks looking at Kuro, she thinks over it all and soon comes up with a name.

" We named her Ku.." The voice speaks as we see days flash by. We see Spike and Ori trying to help Ku learn her first steps, he only made a little but they smiled and gave him hugs as they were proud of him.

Gumo and Naru are seen building places in the cave while Kuro helps make a nest around it for safety, Spike and Ori and Ku are seen making wall drawing of eachother and they laugh as they see them all.
"Your a great artist Ku!" Spike said looking at Ku's drawing of him and Ori, Spike looks at himself, the white scales, black eyes with white pupils, the long ears and tail.. just like Ori's, Spike looked down and touched it as he still felt like he was off.

"You okay Spike?" Ori asked worried for him and Spike only shook his head.
"Y.. Yeah i'm fine thank you for the concern though." Spike said with a smile, they both still felt unsure but decided to shake it off.

The three of them are seen sleeping together, a voice then calls out and Ku wakes up, he sees Gumo near the top and he motions Ku to come with him, he picks Ku up and they leave the place. Spike and Ori then wake up and they decide to go out.

They then see Kuro, Naru and Gumo trying to help him fly.

"Don't worry sweetie! You can do it!" Kuro says while trying to encourage her , Ku is feeling a little unsure though but with the rest of them she gets the motivation to try. she jumps of the nearby ledge and flaps her wings, she tries to fly but he is only in the air for a brief moment, she then comes down and Naru caught him. They all cheer for her at the fact that she was able to hang in the air for that long.

We see several memories fly by, with them eating food while Kuro feeds Ku the live pray she found. To the winter time where the water is frozen and Ku is seen sliding on the ice and Comes to Spike and Ori.

"I feared of what was to come.. and called to her to seek help" The voice speaks again

Kuro is seen flying through Nibel looking to find more food, but she suddenly hears a voice call to her, she looks at the Spirit tree curiously and flies over to it, She is then told something important as she needs to do something, she then flies back to their home looking worried.

She then lands near the entrance and Spike notices her.

"Kuro? Is everything okay?" Spike asks, and she simply sighs.

"The spirit tree.. told me to do something important.. but it will take a while for me to do it.. and i'm afraid something will happen to you all while i'm gone.." She says worried and Spike get's curious.

"What did he tell you?" Spike asks worried at the thought of it.

"He asked me.. to go to Equestria and find your friends.. he gave me the location to go there, but i'm afraid of what will happen while i'm gone.." She says while still being worried over it. Spike was surprised by this, he didn't think that someething like this would be requested for Kuro to do.

"He asked you.. to find my friends?" Spike asked surprised at this news.
"Yes.. but i'm afraid of what will happen to you all.. without my protection" She says with worry for her child, Spike then puts his hand on her head to calm her down.

"I'm worried of things to, but i think with my friends help.. we could put them to rest, if you do go.. just be careful okay?" Spike asks.
"Okay then.. promise you'll keep my child safe please?" She begs while looking hopeful. and Spike nods with an assuring smile.

"Don't worry, i'll keep her safe with Ori.. i promise" Spike says with a smile, and she smiles as well, feeling really relieved to hear that.

"Thank you Spike.. not just for this.. but for everything.. i don't think i'd be here if it weren't for you.." She says gratefully.
"Your welcome Kuro, let's let everyone know what's going on, just have a safe flight" Spike suggests and she agrees to it and they go to tell them all.

They were all shocked and worried at what she told them, After a conversation they all agreed to let her go off, Ku and Kuro share a moment with eachother promising she'll see her again, she then waves goodbye to them all one more time and takes off while they all watch on with sadness as she leaves.

"You think she'll be okay? It sounds like it will be a long flight." Ori asked worried
"I know she will, and i'll keep Ku safe, i promised her this" Spike says looking at Ku, he then gives her a hug and they all go inside the cave again.

More time flies by after she left, Spike is seen going through something they don't know, his body continues to itch and reek, until they all see him suddenly become stone for a bit much to they're horror, but after a few moments Spike emerges from it with something on his back, Spike then notices them.

"Are these.. wings?" Spike asked surprised with all of them as well.
"That means.. you can fly now right?" Ori asks curious.

"I think it does.." Spike says still amazed.
"We should try it out with Ku" Gumo suggests, they all nod in agreement at that. Ku is seen in her room at the top looking at the sky.

"The sky called to her" The voice says as she goes out side.

"Gumo and Naru heard it too" The voice concludes. the three of them are seen watching Spike and Ku near a small ledge ready to try and fly, Ku is still a little scared but Spike assures him.

"Don't worry, i'll be here for you, we all will, you ready?" Spike asks, and she nods, they both take a pose and run to the cliff with the others cheering them on, they both jump of the cliff and flap they're wings. Spike is able to get it and fly much to his amazement, but Ku doesn't and starts to fall much to his shock, he then manages to catch her right before he hits the ground.

"You okay?" Spike asks worried, the others then come down and look worried as well, they then look at Ku's wing and sees how roughed up it is.. they realize that she can't fly because of it..

"Ku.. i'm so sorry" Spike says sadly with the others feeling bad as well.

Ku looks down sadly as he walks to the nearby river with them feeling sad.

"Do you think she's okay?" Gumo asks worried and Spike shakes his head.

"No.. i don't think so, i may be able to fly now.. but he can't." Spike says sadly while looking out to her.

Ori and then goes up to him and does her best to comfort her, they stay like that until the sun comes down and it is nighttime, Ku falls asleep on they're shoulder and they look worried as they don't know what to do.. until an idea suddenly hits them.

"That's it!" Spike says in realization.
"Of course!" Ori says getting the idea as well, they both gently come off her and they head back to their home to find something. they enter a room and open a chest of sorts, they toss out some old map stones and door fragments from they're last adventure, until they pull out two large feathers.

"This should do it" Spike says looking at them. They both walk back to him and wake her up.

"Ku i think we may have an idea" Spike says as they show her the feather.
"You wanna try it out?" Ori asks, Ku looks shocked for a moment but looks at them and smiles and they smile back and head off.

Gumo is seen sleeping on a bed he made and the three of them are near him, Ori uses her feather to wake him up and he jumps as he felt that and they laughed a little at that, he looks curious for a sec before Ori shows him the feather.

"Of course.. hold on a minute" Gumo says and he takes Ku's wing for a moment, he then straps the feather around the thing tightly to be secure and they see that it's secure, she then jumps of the ground for a moment and he's able to stay in it for a bit and land back down.

"This is going to work i know it!" Spike says with a smile
"Your going to fly little sister!" She says happy as well.

Ori then gets on his back and Spike goes next to him, they look at eachother and nod and start to run.

"Together on new wings.." The voice says as they glide down a couple small ledges.

" The sky was in reach.." It finishes as the two of them are nearing a ledge, they jump off of it and fall down and Gumo looks down with worry, a few seconds later, Ku and Spike are seen flying together much to they're amazement.

"Yes, fly my children!" He says amazed they take off, and Spike just looks amazed.

"This is amazing!" Spike says as he looks around in the air.
"We're really flying!" Ori says amazed as well. They pass by Naru's room and she she's them and suddenly looks amazed.

"Incredible! Be careful my children! Be safe!" She tells them and Spike gives her a thumbs up as they fly off.

They fly across the land and see all the places from before, they fly through the branches of the Spirit tree, they fly around the Ginso tree as the sun rises and brush they're hands on the water as they go. they fly across all of the land and see everywhere they went through.

"This is incredible.." Spike says looking down at everything, they then fly high into the clouds and see the beautiful sun shine.
"Look the sunstone!" Ori says pointing at it and they see sunstone shining brightly.

They proceed to fly across the whole land until they fly over the seas, Ori then points down and they notice a flock of birds and come down to them.

"where are these guys going?" Spike asks as he looks around.
"I don't know but i wonder what... it is.." Ori says as they are cut off when they see another land.
"What is this place?" Spike asks he looks around.

They didn't have time to answer as they were nearing the land, thunder was suddenly heard as they see the clouds moving in fast.
"Oh no.." Spike says scarred.
"We need to get lower." Ori says scarred as well as rain starts to come down.

They continue to get closer but look on with shock as they see the land look like it's covered in darkness, lightning suddenly flashes by them and the winds become really fast.
"Oh no! We need to get out of the sky's now!" Spike shouts worried, Ku tries to fly down but the winds are to hard, just then the feather suddenly comes of much to they're horror.

"The feather!" Ori shouts as she tries to grab it, Spike is trying to catch Ku but the wind is too strong, Spike is knocked out of position and falls with Ori, and they get separated from Ku.

"KU!!" Ori and Spike shouted with terror as they fall from the sky, Ku is sent flying off to another part of the land and lightning flashes as the feather comes to screen and things cut to black.

" Separated by the storm, our story began" The voice says as things fade to black again.

Author's Note

Hey guys hope you liked this starting point! Yep it's the sequel you've been waiting for! I hope you look forward to what comes next! Do not worry about my other story, i promise i won't forget about it, i'll update them both constantly until they're done, sorry if your a little annoyed by that. Anyway i hope you all like what is seen so far, please like this story and hope you look forward to more!

7: A Little Home Repair

Spike and Ori proceeded to head they're way back the way they came, they now know that in order to reach Ku, they need to head to the Wellspring and clear out the waters.

"So we're cleaning up the waters again huh?" Spike asked. " Yep, hope this one isn't as tough as the last one." Ori replied and Spike sighed." I hope so too." Spike said as they moved along.

They bashed they're way over the spiked floors again and headed back to the area where they fought that monster, they saw more Moki in the background and they pulled a lever opening a door leading upwards.
"Those guys are helpful huh?" Spike said with a smile.
"They really are, really cute too!" Ori said as they bashed they're way upwards to the door and went on ahead.

As they entered they saw another one and he noticed them.
"You two are not a Moki clearly, your ears are too floppy, i notice things, like this map i found." He said as he showed them a map leading somewhere." Thanks for the update on our looks." Spike said a little annoyed by that remark.
"I would give it to Lupo the map maker, but he has enough maps. it should go to the one who wonders." He told them.
"We know who your talking about, we can deliver it to him if you need." Ori offered.
'Yeah, it wouldn't be much of a problem." Spike agreed.

"Really? Thank you! I hear he used to love maps, maybe he'll love this one too." The moki said as he gave them the map.
"Never hurts to have knowledge of where to go." Spike said with a smile.
"Thank you, i think he's nearby the Wellspring Glades." The Moki explained.
"We'll see to it that he does get it, thank you!" Ori said gratefully.
"We'll let you know when we do!" Spike said as he waved goodbye as they went off again.

Spike and Ori bashed against another lamp and launched themselves up another pole, they saw a weak wall that could be broken, they saw an enemy shooting projectiles and got the same idea, they waited for the right moment and bashed the object to the wall and it fell down, Spike and Ori went into it and found a strange ore of somekind.

"Wonder what this is for?" Ori asked as they looked at it.
"Might be used to build things, lets hold onto it until we find someone who knows how to use these things." Spike suggested, Ori agreed to that and they put it away and headed back forward.

They bashed up the enemy objects again to go higher, then they leapt of another pole to reach a high ledge, they encountered the same kind of wall and had to redirect the enemy blast into it like before, then bash off it to get to the higher area again. Just as they entered the place they heard a voice.

"Hey! Who tore down my wall?" It asked.
"Umm" Ori said as little worried.
"It was an accident, we didn't know you made it." Spike said trying to defend themselves..
"Hmph, come on over, let's get a look at you two." He told them, Spike and Ori sighed as they had to deal with this now, they just hope that things wouldn't go bad from it.

As they went forward they saw Tokk again and knew what they had to do. They showed him the map that they were given.
"Hey, what's that you two got there?.. Squork! Those crisp dotted lines, that bold x.. that's a treasure map!" Tokk said with a smile.
"We were asked to bring this to you, we figured you could have better use for it." Spike said as he gave him it.
"Thank you young spirits, i'll give you my wonderer pouch for it, it will help store more items for you." Tokk said as he gave them a bag that they could use later.
"Thank you Tokk!" Ori said gratefully

Spike and Ori made they're way to him and saw looked like a Monkey creature( Probably a guardian of some sorts).
"Mmmm Monke." Spike thought to himself while chuckling a little.
" I didn't dare hope the rumors were true, but here you two are, Niwen is home to two spirits once more!" He said in amazement.
'You two made quick work of that wall there, i see my building skills aren't what they used to be." He said as he looked back on the entrance.
"Yeah sorry about that, we needed to move forward." Spike apologized.

"It's okay i appreciate your concern, i made a promise i would provide refuge from the Decay here, the glades are counting on me spirits." He told them.
"Well we can help you if you need, we found some strange stones that you might use." Ori said as they showed him that they had 2 ore's.

"These ore's can help! With the right amount i can help make things that will improve these Glades." He said as he took them.

"Well why don't we make something from them now? There's a spirit well over there that could use a repair, why don't we start with that?" Spike asked.
"I like the sound of that, let me do my thing spirits." He said as he went to work on the ore's and they watched on as he used the ore's to repair it.

"Who would have thought a spirit well could get damaged like that?" Ori asked.
"I know, just what else is there for us here?" Spike asked as they waited for him to finish.

After a few minutes her finally repaired the thing and the well was glowing again. He then came up to them.

"Before our home was swallowed by sand, the spirits saw potential in the Gorlek ore, but they disappeared before they could try what we built them, but now your back, and that can change." He explained.
"We'll look out for more ore's for you to use on this place, i think a safe haven is something the folks could use right now." Spike said as he looked around.
"Yeah, i agree with him on that. We'll return soon with any ore's we have." Ori explained.
"Very well, be careful brave spirits, may the light guide you both." He said as Ori and Spike proceeded to head out of the Glades.

Author's Note

Hey guys i know this ones short, but i'm trying to balance out the important story beats with the game, with the nice little side missions, i hope you don't mind, sorry for my lack of updates again, we all know how life is important with what we need to do. So quick question for you all, Spike going through the game Hades at one point, would you like to see it?