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/ Chapter 1 – Entry Into Town/ Story: Spike's Temporary Stay/ by B_25/-/

There were more trees here than in the forest.

Spike's claw was on his hip, where a pain surged throughout. In displaying the claw before his eyes, he bore witness to the blood covering it. His head fell with a sigh, as too did the rest of his body.

The grass hustled with the wind. The trees leaned just an inch, with some of its leaves being torn from its branches. A puddle was present in the grass, in which, Spike dug a claw into, and brought the soiled water to his lips.

He spat out the filth before it could even reach his throat. The cavern of his mouth felt even more dry than before.

Propping himself up with a claw, Spike struggled to rise back up. A claw had to be tended to the wound on his hip, while his legs already buckled upon standing. But that did not stop him from taking another step.

Step.

After.

Step.

Tree flew by. The world was in a blur. No more than one object could stay in focus, as everything else joined in with the haze. Red orbs orbited overhead, and up ahead there was less brown blurs.

Though regardless of where he looked, brown populated most of the world. Ponville had once been in sight – how did he get so lost?

Something caught his foot, causing him to fall onto a nearby tree. The world begun to fade faster, as his breaths grew only more rapid. His head fell onto his shoulder, as he reach a claw to claim one of those hanging red orbs...

"Hold it right there, partner!"

Spike cocked his head to the voice of the intruder. The support he had on the tree was lost; his arms spun around like propellers, before falling down onto his chin. The voice of the made some weird sounds, and then, it chuckled.

"You know–" Spike did his best to get back up "–it's not polite to laugh when someone falls down." The voice sounded so near, yet the blur looked so far away. It then raced in front of him, like a monster had appear before him.

"Nither is it polite to intrude on other's private property. Would you care to explain what you're doing out here, this late in the evening?"

"I was going for a lovely stroll."

"Cut the funny business." The voice paused for a moment. The blur swung like a pedium clock, following it left and right only caused the vomit to rise in his chest.

"You look like you've been around the world," said the voice. It sounded feminine, yet the pitch within it was strong. Was this a mare he was speaking to?

"I've been to my fair share of places – ones with better reception mind you."

"I said cut the funny business; what are you doing here?"

Spike inhaled and exhaled. "Look, I'm not exactly from around here: I'm just looking for a town called Ponyville."

"Ponyville?" The mare breathed the words. "What's yer business there?"

"That of my own," Spike replied. He leaned back into the tree, while his claw hid the wound the mare's eyes. Looking back at the vast scape of brown blurs, running away might not even be an option.

The mare remained silent. She hadn't appeared to move, and she hadn't screamed for help yet either. But there was no telling what she might do, and Spike didn't want to take any chances.

"You, uh... you said you weren't from around these parts," the mare started. "And while you may look like a wild creature, you sure do speak well for yourself. So, pardon the bluntness of my question, but what kind species are you?"

He grinned. "A dragon, if you must know."

The mare breathed, twisted her head, bit down on something, and looked back at the dragon with a rope in her mouth. Spike raised both claws; one close to his face, the other to the held his right claw to his face; his left closer to the mare.

The two stared at each other. The sway of the intruder slowed, as the blur began to clarify. It was most definitely a mare standing before him, with eyes as green as his own.

"Da-dragon," the mare stuttered through the rope. "You're a… you're a dragon?"

"Yeah, that's what we're called."

The two kept their stances. If she even thought about casting her rope on him, he'd just take hold of it and drag her closer. He'd give a good hit, and stumble away as fast as possible. But… would she really be that easy to take down?

The mare's eyes went up and down his body, causing his heart to quicken its pumps. Her eyes then paused on the wound on Spike's hip, but she didn't make a mention of it."If you're a dragon, where did you come from?"

"Down south – by the badlands."

"That sounds pretty far away."

Is it? Spike thought. Because I wouldn't know; I made it up.

"So, why come all the way here then? Surely you were part of a dragon migration, or something of the sorts."

"Surprisingly! No." Spike rolled his eyes, which made the haze around him worse. "Me and other dragons, eh... never got along well; call it a difference of opinions."

"That's comforting to hear."

Spike continued. "And, as for my coming down here: I wanted to check out some new sights; to visit a place where everything doesn't try to kill you." Spike added a weary smile.

"Living out in the wild sure doesn't sound easy." The mare sounded sincere, but her words came off like they were a joke.

"It wasn't. But I think the worse part about it, is not knowing how much time has gone by." His vision began to settle. He could make out her orange coat, the freckles on her cheeks, and a… cowboy hat?

"Another question," said the mare.

"What is this, an interview?"
"This, interview, is the only thing stopping me from tying you up and dropping you off with the Royal Guard."

Was Ponyville always this friendly?

"How did you learn to talk so well? I've Only met a few dragon in my lifetime, but they could only speak a few words – and they said them slowly too!"

"First off, the phrase should be, 'how are you so articulate?' "

The mare took a step forward.

"Er, I mean." He rattled his right claw around as he thought. "Look, like I said, I'm unlike other dragons. I like to read books, and I like to ramble." Spike paused to take a deep breath, as his eyes came to a close. "Plus, I've had… teachers… who've, passed down a bit of wisdom."

"Well they forgot to teach you manners!" The mare chuckled at her own joke, before tilting her head. "You sure are an interesting fellow. Now, don't get me wrong, you're still a rude dragon, but an interesting, rude dragon."

The mare dropped her gaze, to admire the grass at her hooves. Her neck was wide open, ceptable to a slash and dash. Spike's claw inched forward…

And didn't move any further.

The mare smiled as the wind blew; her eyes slowly closed. "There's one dragon, that I know of, that just smart as you." She took a moment to chuckle. "His name was Spi…"

The trees leaned in accordance with the wind, but it did not relish its leaves. They flapped around as their roots grew weak, but they did not detract from the tree that gave them life. The leaves would not fly with the wind.

"S-s-say, p-partner? What was… was ya… say your name?"

Spike wished he was like one of those leaves again. He would break his roots as fast as possible, so that he could escape this mare, and fly with the wind. Yet he was too heavy, and his breathing grew ragged. "M-My name?"

"Yes. Y-your name."

Spike took a deep breath to steady his nerves. "I don't have a name. I was... abandoned at birth by my parents, and thus, not given a name."

"Oh." The mare almost fell backward. "I figured that were the case... heh." A smile tugged at her lips, but she could not maintain it. "Your scales… they had reminded me of an old friend."

The world began to lose its hazy effect, and the blurs no longer swung like a lock. Trees looked like trees; ponies looked like ponies. Spike leaned off the tree and stood at his full height, with all pain absent in his body. His mind jumped around with energy, and Spike felt himself ready.

Ready for a fight. But not ready for an answer.

"While I may not have the pleasure of owning a name, I'd still like to hear yours." His voice broke, and a crack went down his throat.

"The name's Applejack, partner."

The first fear of this town had become reality: Spike had met a friend.

"So… Applejack." Spike clenched his claws. "You ready to finish this? Because I'd understand if you wanted to away."

Applejack sighed and shook her head. "I can't have you running around town like this; you'd be a danger to the town folks, as well as yourself."

The words rang true. The mare stood tall, while Spike had to lean back onto the tree.

Applejack took a step forward.

"You know you can run away, right?" Spike said. "Forget I ever came, and I promise, to take my business elsewhere."

Applejack took a step forward.

"That's the worry, isn't it? A dragon walking around – looking like me. If this is what the town is like, than I'd rather leave and avoid the pitchforks."

Applejack took another step.

"Alright! This is my last warning; if I have to hurt you to get away, I'll do it." His claws wouldn't stop shaking. "Dragons are greedy creatures: they'll do anything to get their way."

Applejack took another step.

How could Spike ever hope to escape by just using his tongue? Sure the passage of time tends to change ponies, but characteristics don't die that easily. If Applejack was bent on tying him up and bring him in, then he had no choice but to defend himself.

Applejack took another step.

Trying to phase his back through the tree didn't work. Applejack's eyes were no longer on his, but were focused on his clenched claw. And in a few seconds, a rope would wrap around his wrists, and bind the two together.

Maybe even wrap his muzzle up, so that he couldn't bite.

Applejack dropped the rope.

Spike inched his head back and narrowed his eyes, while she close hers. Now was the time to strike, to throw her to the ground and tie her up with her own rope. Someone would find her eventually, and by then, he'd be long gone.

But the claw didn't move. It opened and closes; opened and closed, but never inched towards her. If anything, the claw began to fall, just as Spike's body slid down the tree. He moved the claw covering his wound, to his chest to repress his beating heart.

Then, a hoof placed itself, on the outstretched claw.

One painted with widen eyes.

While one just smiled.

The muscles in the claw began to relax. And slowly, the first unfurled into an open palm. Which was guided down to the ground.

"Everything's okay... you can trust me."

The sun began its duty of falling to the land. It's approach brought a wave of light to the forest, casting everything in its glow. Spike smiled at the scenery, before his head fell forward.

"Trust… you?"

The world dimmed. Nothing made sense anymore.

"Yes. Trust that I only want to help you out."

His body faltered. He couldn't move anything, and his eyelids were to heavy to keep open. As though the world was about to end for the dragon, he for some reason stretched out his claw.

Applejack chuckled. "I'll take that as a yes."

Something went underneath Spike's left arm, helping to hoist him up. Only, it rubbed against his open wound. "Tch!" He fell back to the tree.

A nervous voice chuckled. "I guess other side?"

"Otherside."

Applejack snuggled her head under his right arm, while propping a hoof along his back. "On three now, you here?"

Spike absently nodded.

Some sounds… noises maybe? Some that made sounds was making sounds, and in a second, there was no ground below Spike's feet. Yet he was standing on something.

"Oh' nelly. Ya' sure.. are a… heavy one." Applejacked gritted out. She was handling most of his mass, and catching him whenever he trapped.

"You should try me when I eat." Spike replied. But… thank you.

"Ah think… I'll… tch!... pass..."

Step after step. They went slow, but at least Spike was walking. His breathing slowed, and his body hollow. Walking without a clue as to the destination, going wherever Applejack pleased.

The sounds of the world begin to fade.

"... you okay… there… partner…"

Spike smiled. "I'm flowin."

The world was now a void. One that Spike floated in. Almost like he was ontop of a cloud, that would sometimes inch forward.

"Open ...eyes…"

"Yeah yeah." Spike's eyes stirred. "What is it?"

"Ahead of you," Applejack said. Spike turned his head – almost vomiting while doing so – and saw a barn before him. "We're gonna hunker you down in there and get you patched up, alright?"

"That sounds dandy." Spike closed his eyes.

There was the sound of footsteps in the grass. The squeaking of a door. Then Spike fell from his cloud, down onto something softer. The void disappeared and the interior of a barn appeared.

Looking behind him, Spike had his back supported by bundles of hay. The wound on his hip had turned purple. Spike leaned his head back.

"Ah'm gonna be right back," Applejack said. "Don't you move. Don't ya dare go to sleep!" Spike vaguely made something out in her tone. Did her voice crack? Or was there concern in it? He couldn't quite tell.

Don't go to sleep. Ha, are you crazy! My eyes move on their own. How can you… expect me… to…

Spike pinched his wound; his body shivered as his eyes shot open. "MMMMM!"

The doors were once again kicked open. Applejack trotted to Spike with a box in her mouth and set it down next to him. "Here," she said before bolting out of the barn.

Spike unclaimed and opened the box, where lay bandages, rolls, bottles and such recovery items. He picked up the rubbing alcohol and uncapped the bottle – just as a waterfall poured down on him.

"DAH!"

Spike closed his eyes and shook his head. When they opened, Applejack stood before him with a bucket in her hooves. "What was that for!?"

"You were dirty and bleeding' all over," Applejack replied. "I figured cleaning you off would help." She tossed the bucket to his side. Scooping down to pick up a bottle, though a claw stole it first.

"Oh no you don't," Spike said. "You got to splash me with water; you're not touching the alcohol."

"Ah, but!"

Spike didn't reply. He uncapped the bottle and brought it to his hip. "Do you mind placing the rim of that bucket in my mouth?"

Applejack raised a brow, but did as she was ordered to, and picked up the bucket, and placed the rim in his mouth. The drake bit down on the metal and poured the burning liquid over his wound.

He couldn't have screamed any louder.

The bucket fell to the ground and rolled to a pair of hooves. Applejack it picked up, looking longingly at chunk of metal that was missing, before tossing it aside.

"That. Officially. Sucked."

The room was bathed in a silence, that was frequently broken by heavy breathing. The bucket continued to lay broken, while a piece of metal was covered in silva, right by Spike's side.

Applejack laughed. "Sure looked like it. But at least it's treated now."

"Indeed. But I don't know how I'm going to treat the rest." Spike sighed as he picked up the roll of bandages, and began to wrap it around his wrist.

"Did you want me to help you out?"

"No thank you." Spike exhaled a breath, his chest feeling hollow. "I know you'd do your best to help, but it's better to have claws to do this type of stuff."

Silence hung in the air after that. The only thing that beat against it was Spike's breath. Applejack turned her head and didn't say anything for a while. But then it happened, at the same time, both parties sighed.

"Ah, look a here, partner. You know darn well you're too beat up to be fixin' up your own wounds."

"Like I said–"

"And you're right: I won't be much of a help. But I know somepony else who might be able to you help you."

Please not her – please not now.

"I told you, I'm fine, Applejack."

"No your not. Look at your claw! You can hardly keep the thing still!"

Spike gripped his arm to force it to keep still, but that did not keep it from shaking. With a groan, he threw the roll the ground and leaned back his head. "Who did...you…have in mind?"

"A friend who knows everythings there's to know about treating animals."

"I'm not that much of a savage."

"Will you quit with the jokes!" Applejack said as she removed her stenstion hat. Spike's mouth went agape. "How do you expect anyone else to care for you, if you don't even care about yourself?"

"I've stopped expecting things from others." Spike's claws clenched at his wound. "Who's this friends? What's their name?"

"Her name is Fluttershy," Applejack replied, putting her hat back on. "She's the nicest pony you'll ever meet, and the only one I know capable of saving your caboose."

"Heh, Fluttershy." Spike rested his eyes. "The element of kindness."

Applejack's eyes shot wide open. "How do you know that?"

"The Elements of Harmony, who hasn't heard of them? Their tales are widespread across the nation." A somber smile came onto his lips. "Heck, you're almost like fabled heroes."

Breath after breath, once again it was the only thing making a sound in the barn. No chuckle came to join in, just leaving Spike alone with his eyes closed.

Did I say something wrong?

"Anyway. As much as I hate to admit it, I do need this Fluttershy's help."

Finally a chuckle came through.

"I'm glad ya' agree so." Applejack said. "You seem to be faring a bit better now, so... do you think ya can handle being on your own for a little while?"

"Stay here alone?" Spike repeated. "Why can't I come with you?"

"I don't reckon that being the best idea, sugarcube."

Something had pinched Spike's heart. "I'd have to carry you there like I did to the farm, and you know that'll take us too long. And, not tryna' to be rude, but with you lookin the way you look, the town's folk may not be as kind as I have."

"I thought you were the Element of Honesty?"

"Quit it with the sour jokes." Hoofsteps treked across the barn before they paused. "I'm off to get her, ya' hear? Don't do anything stupid."

Spike didn't have time to reply as the barn door slammed shut. She hadn't lit any candles when she left, so the barn was cold and dark. Still better than dying on the grass, though.

"Look what you've gotten yourself into," Spike said with a single chuckle. "Come back here, expecting to keep your head low, yet the first mare you run into is an old – is an Element of Harmony.

"I'm surprised I wasn't turned to stone! Heh heh, isn't my life perfect?"

Hooves wrestled with leaves somewhere outside the barn. It sounded like a carriage was trying to make it to the hospital before the passenger bled out. Or maybe it was rushing there for a mare ready to give birth at any moment.

Spike began to giggle. Then the giggle grew into a chuckle. The chuckle became laughter, and laughter is what cased Spike fall to ground.

A rapping came from the door. The world remained black and Spike's eyes refused to open. His mind wasn't functioning; his ears merely listening. Multiple steps came from the distance, then something creaked open.

Then Spike heard voices.

"Sugarcube, it's okay," a voice said. "He's not one of them dragons that take up a whole barn. Heck, he's only slightly taller than the Princess."

"Does he have fangs?" a timid voice asked from afar.

"What now?" the voice replied – it sounded closer.

"Dragons have fangs. Does he have fangs?"

"He's a dragon, Fluttershy! Of course he has fangs."

"Then–then, I can instruct you on how to help him from over here."

"Fluttershy, don't be ridiculous!" A hoof smacked against the ground. "He's asleep and could be dyin'!"

The other voice didn't reply.

"Come on, now. He' a nice dragon!" The voice stammered. "Er... a decent, dragon. I swear he won't hurt 'ya."

"How can you be so sure of that?" The other voice cracked.

"Because I have a rope: he doesn't."

"But–But…"

"Come on in here, Fluttershy! I swear he don't bite."

The other voice didn't reply.

"Look, Fluttershy. You know I understand your fear of dragons, but this drake right here isn't like other dragons. If anything, he kinda reminds me of…" The voice trailed off for a moment. "Of you know who."
The other voice grew closer. "Do you mean to say—"

"Don't get yer hopes up – it's not him." The voice drew a breath. "But gosh darn it, this dragon is the closest one I've seen like him."

"Is he articulat?"

"Now both of ya' are usin' them fancy words?"

Silence hung in the air and Spike couldn't see what was happening. He fought to awaken his mind and to open his eyes. But neither would bulged.

"Okay."

"Y'all gonna help him?"

"I will on one condition."

"And what would that be?"

"Can you bind his arms together?"

"...What now?"

"Just in case he wakes up and panics! He may lash at me… bite me…"

"Yer' give him too much credit, Fluttershy. But I get your reasoning – here."

The black space Spike occupied felt tighter.

"There. Happy?"

"I'm safe."

"Ha! I didn't expect something like that to come out of your mouth, shy," the voice said with a chuckle. The chuckle was replaced by a yawn. "It's been a long day, with this guy showing up outta nowhere. Do you mind if I go catch some shut eye in the corner?"

"Not at all."

"Thank ya', kindly. Wake me if anything happens."

"Will do."

Spike fell back asleep.

Laugh at the stream of water.

Dive in not to save the drawing bunny.

Why toss a rock in?

When the water is already flowing.

Ask the river why it's there.

Unless it dosen't know the answer itself.

The barn loaded in a bang. His eyes opened, as his ears suffered a terrible ringing. Waving his head to alleviate the sound, his eyes caught glimpse of his body: free from any blood, and covered mostly in bandages.

Every breath he took tasted like honey; his throat basking in a warmth.

"It's like I'm brand new," Spike muttered to himself.

Some joints still screamed whenever he moved them, but the pain was at least bearable. He unraveled the bandages at his left claw, where three purple dots intruded in the green. Spike quickly hovered his other claw over, and filled the dots with green magic.

I'm surprised the liquid didn't dissipate while I was unconscious. Spike thought. But... did anyone notice the dots? Or did they appear after I was patched up?

"Wait a minute... where did everyone go?!"

The world failed to sustained itself and fell back into a black void.

Applejack climbed a hill.

At the top resided a tree. Not too wide as to take up the hilltop, but tall enough to protect those underneath from the rays of sunlight.

The hill made the perfect picnic spot.

"Look who finally decided to show up!" a raspy voice shouted.

Applejack smiled as she removed her stenestion, holding it by her hooves. "My apologies, girls. I had to overlook some things on the farm, before I could come."

"What could possibly hold you back that long?" the voice questioned. "We've been waiting and starving for you to show up!"

"It's kinda a long story, Rainbow Dash."

"Then give us the short version."

"Well… hmmm." There weren't any pegasi flying in the sky, nor were there any ponies walking nearby. It was just Applejack and her friends, and the only way her words could reach somepony else, is if the wind carried them away.

"I can't really go in depth, but let's just say, that I've got a special guest occupying the farm."

Rarity was the first one to giggle. "My my! I know honesty is your forte, but I would never expect for you to be so blunt about your romantic interests."

"Yeah," Rainbow murmured as her head bobbed. "Wait, so you're telling me you spent all this time with some stallion, while we waited and starved for you?"

"I wasn't fooling with no stallion!" Applejack exclaimed with a mild blush.

"... a mare then?"

"No mares either."

Rarity turned her head to Rainbow Dash. "Has your griffon friend returned to town?"

"I HAVE A DRAGON IN MY BARN!" Applejack unleashed her anger. "No stallion; no mare, and no griffins. A walking, talkin' dragon is sleeping in my barn, and that's who I'm dealing with." Hooves shot up to her mouth, her eyes wide open. Before she could speak a word, Rarity had gone first.

"You certainly are the adventurous type, aren't you, darling?"