Spike's Quest for Coffee

The train dangerously bucked as it hit a bump on the track, causing Gilda and Spike flung out of their bunk beds. The little dragon slowly stood up and looked out the window – gingerly rubbing his head. Outside, he saw the dark terrains of the Wild West, the wide stretch of empty land with the occasional hills and cacti as the moon loomed behind the veil of clouds. He let out a sigh and sat on the bottom of the bunk bed.

“You never really explained to me,” Gilda spoke up as she casually flew onto her bed above Spike.

“Explained you what?” he asked, raising his head to look at her, looking confused.

“Why we have to walk around the Everfree forest rather than follow the pathway,” she replied dryly, looking down with an annoyed expression on her face.

“Oh,” he sighed. “There’s this stallion,” he began. “He told me to go to the front of the pathway if I managed to get the flower. But I didn’t. If we follow the pathway and he sees that I didn’t have the flower, he would probably think I failed or backed out. So, that’s why we need to avoid him for now,” the little dragon explained.

“Wait, wait, wait,” she spoke up as she tried to digest the information. “What stallion?” she asked, looking puzzled.

“There’s this stallion who covers himself with a dark cloak that asked me to do his silly request in the first place,” he answered exasperatedly as he crossed his arms.

“Calm down, pipsqueak before you burn the train down,” the she replied mockingly.

“Why are you even with me if you are going to make fun of me along the way?” Spike asked as he looked at her with a mixed of confused and gloomy expression. “Can you be nice at least once?”

“Hey, I’m helping you aren’t I?” she snapped.

“I sacrificed something that is meaningful to me to help you. If I didn’t give you the benefit of the doubt, I would probably leave you with the dragon by now!” he snapped back, nose flaring with smoke. His words hit Gilda like a brick wall. She snickered and flopped her body onto the bed. She rolled over and closed her eyes to sleep. Spike sighed and drooped his tiny body onto the bed and slowly drifting into sleep. Before he fully succumbed himself into slumber he heard a whisper from above.

“Sorry.”

Spike felt like his body was shaking and he heard somepony whispered. This time it was not Gilda. It was a stallion’s voice. “Wake up,” it whispered. “This is the end.”

“No, it can’t be,” Spike groggily replied as he tried to open his eyes. “There are still many things to be done,” he writhed as if he was grabbed by the darkness.

“It is time,” the voice whispered again.

“Time for what?” he murmured, writhing to escape the darkness.

“It’s time to wake up,” the voice replied dryly.

“Huh?” Spike said, opening his eyes. He saw the train conductor was standing beside him. “What time is it and where are we?” he asked, yawning.

“It’s morning and we’re in Appleloosa,” he answered as he gazed to the sleeping griffon above. “Miss it is-“before he could finish his sentence, Gilda quickly turned and roared at the pony’s face. His eyes went wide in shock and quickly galloped away.

“Let’s go, Gilda,” Spike said as he groggily stood up.

“Let me sleep for five more minutes,” she murmured as she rolled back.

“No, if we want to end this quickly, we must not waste too much time,” he explained, yawning.

“Fine,” she yawned as she slowly dropped onto her paws. “Where are we anyway?” she asked as she sleepily looked around.

Spike rolled his eyes. “We’re in Appleloosa,” he answered, exiting the coach they were in. As they exited the train, they were blinded by the sun’s bright glow as their eyes slowly adjusting to the light. Then the bustling sounds of ponies filled the air.

The town was buzzing with tourist and merchants as they merrily headed on their way to do their activities. The were horse drawn carriages, horse drawn horse drawn carriages and many other things that attract the attention of local and visiting ponies alike. Newly built wooden structures stood tall along every street and every corner of the town. Gilda and Spike walked along the road leading towards the center of the busy town with the look of wonderment on their face. While they were enjoying the scenery, a grumbling sound was heard followed by Spike's sheepish smile.

“Yeah, I’m hungry too,” she said, looking around for places that sells food.

“Look!” Spike yelled excitedly, pointing at an inn across them with a sign saying ‘Strawberry Cloud’s Inn.’

“You sure you have the bits to spend on that?” Gilda asked, looking unsure at the young dragon.

“Hey, don’t you worry about it,” he replied nonchalantly, marching into the inn. Without a second thought, she gave a casual shrug and followed Spike inside. Almost immediately, they were hit by the appetizing scent of freshly baked pies and the soothing aroma of hot tea, also the inn was somewhat crowded with ponies but there were still empty tables scattered throughout the eatery. Spike and the Gilda were standing in front of the door with their opened mouth, drooling.

“Hey, there,” A pony who wore a brown jacket and a brown cowboy’s hat greeted them. Spike tentatively looked at the pony, rubbing his chin in thought. The earth pony that greeted them had a light gold coat and an orange colored mane, also his flank had a very familiar apple cutie mark. Gilda quickly wiped her mouth, trying to hide her embarrassment.

“Hi,” Spike greeted back enthusiastically.

“’Sup.” Gilda nonchalantly flipped her tail.

“Wait an apple bucking minute,” the pony murmured as he took a good look at the dragon. “I remembered you, you are one of my cousin’s friends,” he exclaimed cheerily.

“Oh yeah!” Spike exclaimed as well as realization hit him. “You’re Braeburn!"

“The one and only,” he replied, crossing his legs, smiling. “Now,” he began as he exchanged looks between Spike and Gilda. “What can I do you for?” he asked happily.

“We would like a table for two please,” Spike answered, smiling.

“This way,” Braeburn replied as he escorted them both to an empty table in the middle of the eatery. “Now, what can I get for the two of you?” he asked, pulling a pencil and a notepad from his jacket.

“Wait you work here? I thought you work at the farm,” Spike asked as he looked at the pony quizzically.

“Whenever I got some free time, I like helping the folks who own this inn,” he explained, looking around the eatery. “So, what can I get you?” he asked again as he prepared to jolt down the orders.

“I would like some fried grass with some soda, oh don’t forget the ketchup,” Spike ordered.

“Of course,” Braeburn murmured as he jolted the order down. “How about you, miss?” he asked, looking at Gilda.

“Do you, by any chance, have some roasted meat at this place?” she asked as she leaned closer.

“Uh, we’re ponies miss and we don’t eat meat,” he answered; somewhat appalled to the idea of ponies eating meat. “But we do have some baked beans, some say it is the meat of the vegetable,” he suggested, smiling.

“Whatever,” Gilda responded, rolling her eyes, clearly disappointed. “Also, I want some apple cider with that,” she added.

“I’ll be back with your orders in just a minute,” Braeburn said as he trotted into the kitchen. A few minutes later, the requested foods were served and Spike and Gilda did not hesitant to dig in. They spent their time enjoying the food as they made a series of small talk to pass the time.

“That was good,” Gilda sighed in contentment, leaning back onto the chair, patting her stomach.

“It sure is,” Spike agreed, copying the griffon’s actions.

“So, how’s the food?” Braeburn suddenly popped, startling them. Both Spike and Gilda almost fell from their chairs.

“That scared the feathers out of me,” she gasped.

“Sorry,” Braeburn apologized, smiling sheepishly.

“The food was amazing,” Spike commented as he handed the bits. “But, we have to go,” he said as he jumped off the chair with Gilda in tow.

“Where’re you heading?” Braeburn asked as they walked away.

“We’re going to meet with the buffaloes,” Gilda answered with annoyance started to creep in her voice.

“Oh, can I come?” Braeburn asked, smiling. Gilda was looking at Spike with a steely gaze, trying to telepathically telling him to say ‘no’.

“Sure,” Spike answered, oblivious to Gilda’s glare which made the her to sigh in protest.

“Great, let me pack a few things. It is going to be a long journey,” Braeburn said as he galloped into the rooms upstairs.

“Great,” Gilda sneered, rolling her eyes.

“Come on, it’ll be fun,” Spike assured her with a smile.

“Sure it will,” she deadpanned. With that, they waited for the packing pony to finish.

It was already a few hours after they departed from Appleloosa and the group was accompanied by the clattering sounds of pots and metals that Braeburn – a new addition to the group, packed for the trip. Both Spike and Gilda explained why they were on their way to meet the buffaloes, walking under the searing heat of the merciless sun.

“Wait, wait, wait,” Braeburn said, trying to digest the story as he stopped to think. “You’re telling me that a mysterious hooded pony sent you for a quest that made a dragon to send you to another quest, and all of this was for coffee?” he asked, looking at the both of them incredulously.

“Uh-huh.” Spike nodded.

“That’s about sums it up,” Gilda added, shrugging. Braeburn dropped to his haunches and looked at the both of them in disbelief. His eyes were twitching like crazy and he started to mumble incoherently under his breath.

“Is he okay?” she asked, looking at the stunned pony with concern.

“I don’t think so,” Spike answered with as much concern as she was.

Suddenly, Braeburn hollered. “That’s so awesome!” The griffon and the little dragon looked at each other, confused. “You are given an adventure of a lifetime,” the excited pony continued. “Oh, please let me join you guys,” he pleaded as he jumped excitedly – causing the pans to create a cacophony of metals. “Please, please, please.”

“Sure,” Spike said, covering his ears.

“If only you would stop jumping around!” Gilda screamed. Then the pony stopped and covered his mouth with his hooves, trying to withhold his excitement. Gilda rolled her eyes and walked away. “Let’s keep on moving or the sun will roast us.” With that, the group continued their journey towards the buffalo’s encampment while Braeburn was doing his best to stifle his giggles.

Another hour later, it was already evening. They finally reached their destination - a small camp south from Appleloosa, as they were greeted by a herd of buffaloes that escorted them towards the middle of the encampment, leading them to meet with their chief.

While they were standing in front of a well decorated tent they were accompanied only by the sound of the crackling wood of the campfire. Then, a small female buffalo stepped forward. “Welcome, visitors,” she spoke up. Her face lit up when she looked at the dragon and pony. “Ah,” she gasped. “Greetings, Spike and Braeburn,” she greeted, giving them a small bow. “Who might you be?” she asked, looking at the griffon.

“I’m Gilda,” she replied coldly.

“Well, Gilda. It is nice to meet you,” the Strongheart smiled warmly.

“Hey, Little Strongheart,” Spike greeted back, waving his hands.

“Howdy,” Braeburn chuckled.

“It is nice to meet old and new faces,” a deep voice spoke from inside the tent. As Spike and his friends turned to look, they saw a big and well built buffalo exited from the tent. He was wearing a rather large feather headband which made Gilda slightly irritated. “I am Chief Thunderhoof,” the buffalo introduced himself. “State your business,” he boomed stepping in front the campfire.

“I’m here to retrieve the dragon’s necklace,” he stated proudly. Suddenly, a wave of whispers broke within the herd of buffaloes, even Little Strongheart eyes widened in shock.

“You mean the Necklace of Draconia?” he asked, looking terrified.

“Why, what’s wrong?” Spike asked with confusion filled his face. With that, Chief Thunderhoof began to explain. He explained that the necklace was a source of ultimate greed. Greed that could make any dragon – good or bad, into a monster that could create havoc and chaos. He told them a story that 1000 years ago, the necklace was originally owned by the King of Dragons, Druak, which used the necklace to reduce Equestria and the land near it into ash.

But soon King Druak was defeated by the Princesses of Equestria with the help of the Elements of Harmony. Sending the dreadful king into the void of darkness, and bestowed the responsibility of guarding the necklace to the tribe of buffaloes in their time.

“Why did the buffaloes was given the necklace in their protection?” Spike asked as he and his friends sat behind him, listening. Except for Gilda, she was soundly asleep before the story even began.

“Because we are constantly moving and changing the location of our camp, it would be harder for any evil doers or thieves to locate our specific location,” Little Strongheart explained.

“But I really need the necklace,” Spike pleaded.

“Why?” Chief Thunderhoof asked, looking confused and concerned to the fact that a little dragon was asking for a dangerous artifact.

“I-it doesn’t matter, all I can tell that it is essential for the safety of Equestria,” Spike pleaded.

“Don’t do it, Spike,” Braeburn interjected as he walked closer. “What might happen if you give the dragon the necklace,” he whispered.

“I know,” Spike whispered back exasperatedly. “If I don’t get the necklace, Equestria might be in trouble, if I do get it, Equestria will also be in trouble nonetheless.”

Little Strongheart heard the conversation and interjected them. “I know what you need,” she whispered. “There’s another artifact out in the west from here that is known as ‘The Mirror of Duplication’. If you could get it in your possession, you can duplicate the necklace,” she explained.

“Is that the same as getting the necklace itself?” Spike asked with a puzzled look on his face. Little Strongheart shook her head.

“It will only duplicate the item but neither the power nor function,” she answered. “If you duplicate the Necklace of Draconia, the copy would be good as an ordinary necklace,” she explained again, smiling knowingly.

“Are you sure?” Braeburn asked, looking concern.

“Positive,” she nodded.

“What are we waiting for, let’s go get it!” Spike cheered as he started to march.

“But do you even know where the artifact is?” Braeburn asked which made the little dragon to stop in his tracks.

“No,” Spike sighed, lowering his head.

“That’s why I’ll be joining you,” Little Strongheart spoke up. Spike and Braeburn looked at her with puzzled faces. “I’ll be your guide to help you to obtain the artifact,” she explained.

“Are you sure?” Spike asked, still looking at her in disbelief.

“Yes,” she answered simply, nodding.

“Why?” Braeburn asked, raising an eyebrow questioningly.

“I wish to join your little adventure,” Little Strongheart answered again as she stood tall.

“You know, this might be dangerous,” Spike warned.

“I have lived all my life in the wilderness. I am sure I can take care of myself,” she assured them.

“Well, what are we waiting for, let’s go!” Spike cheered again but stopped when Braeburn put up a hoof.

“As much as we want to go for an adventure right now, but I'm not sure walking in the dark would be a good idea,” Braeburn explained as he pointed to the setting sun.

“Oh,” Spike sighed in realization.

“Also, you friend there is definitely not going without her rest,” Strongheart said as she pointed at the snoring griffon, giggling.

“Well, we start the journey tomorrow,” Spike cheered.

“Yeah!” Both Strongheart and Braeburn cheered back, accompanied by Gilda’s heavy snores.