Chapter 4
"Amazing, it even keeps shinning!" Lucy cheered.
"Indeed, all of our research and funding will finally pay-off" Jake added, smiling brightly.
"Just wait until the science committee finds out, we'll probably get a reward or something" I added. We've been at this project for months even though everypony assumed it was just a rumor, I even believed it, a book that contains a simpler version of the hardest spells known to ponykind, it seems a little farfetched. I turned to my best friend, he just kept staring at it smiling.
"Hey man, you were the most excited when we found it, why so silent now?" I asked him, he didn't turn to me.
"I'm just imagining what my mother will think of me now" he said. He was always trying to impress his mother, even though she always tells him how proud she is.
"You're such a momma's boy" Lucy cheered, not sounding like she was insulting him.
"Yes I am!" he announced, equally as happy.
"This is only the beginning my friends" Jake said as he took off his glasses to wipe them.
"The beginning of what?" A voice said to the doorway, making everypony turn.
"It's about time you showed up Twilight!" I cheered, I couldn't wait to tell her the good news.
Damn it, another dream. I've been having more reminders than nightmares lately, I wonder if it's because of these two. I turned to look at the two sleeping beside me, Sweetie Belle and Spike. How did I manage to fall asleep with Spike snoring like that? Well he is a dragon, maybe it's just a dragon thing. I'll have to ask them more questions later, yesterday I just let them catch up, they both seemed very eager to tell each other about what happened to them.
I walked out the tent, it was morning alright. I haven't slept through the night in a while, I miss Princess Luna, wasn't it her job to stop these sort of things? Well it was time to get up, I'll let them sleep in for now.
"If you're not careful you'll wake up whoever is in that tent" I heard somebody whisper outside. Yup, thieves.
"Thanks for pointing out the obvious" I heard another voice say. I peeked out, 2 robed figures were sneaking around, they were probably looking for my food bag which I always keep next to me.
"It's not here" one of them said.
"Ah' noticed that" the other one responded. More fillies? Was there a daycare nearby or something?
"Maybe you should check in the tent" I said loudly.
"As if" one of them responded, then froze.
"So, which one of you two wants to face me first?" I asked, I wouldn't normally hit a filly but I liked to be threatening.
"You do it" one of them whispered.
"No, you do it" the other responded.
"What're you, chicken?" The first one taunted.
"Fine" the other responded, turning to me. I guess they want to fight me. I noted she was a girl based on how her voice sounded and I got a good view of her face, she seemed to have an orange coat with purple eyes, but maybe the robe she was still wearing darkened her face a bit.
"Fine you punk, I'm not afraid of you" she harshly said, although she was backing up a bit.
"I'm the punk? You're the one stealing from me" I responded, walking towards her.
"Welcome to Equestria buddy" she responded, walking back into a tree.
"Now you're going to fight me?" I asked.
"No" she said, lowering her head in defeat. I guess she gave up.
"Well then if you leave I'll" I started.
"I'm going to win!" she yelled as she threw a punch at me. I didn't have time to catch it but luckily she didn't punch hard. I stumbled back a bit and dusted off the spot she punched. Maybe I was getting a bit cocky.
"What was that about winning?" I taunted, she looked nervous now.
"H-hey listen you wouldn't hit a filly would you?" she asked, sounding nervous.
"I'll give you five seconds, five" I counted. Without a second thought she ran off, heading for the nearest trees. I turned to her other friend. "You want to try next?" I asked.
"Naw I'm good!" she yelled as she ran to catch up to her friends. Both of them ran till they were out of my view.
I was taking inventory when they both emerged from the tent, looking well rested and happy. They didn't notice me, they were too busy chatting it away and I didn't want to interrupt them, but I couldn't help but eavesdrop.
"Really? All by yourself?" I heard spike ask.
"Yup, I lived like that for a whole month" she responded. I guess she was referring to how she was living, or how all of Equestria was living, stealing food or hording it.
"Wow Sweetie Belle, you're really brave" Spike responded.
"Thanks" I heard Sweetie Belle sheepishly respond. Jeez they should just kiss and get it over with.
"Oh hey!" I heard Spike yell, I pretended not to notice them before.
"Oh hey, slept well?" I asked, I saw Sweetie Belle trying to hide a blush.
"You bet, it was the best I slept in a long time" Spike responded, stretching his hands. The dream I had was one of my better dreams so I guess they helped me sleep too.
"That's good, I can't remember the last time I had a peaceful sleep" I told him.
"Why not? Can't you sleep?" Sweetie asked me, I turned back to my bag.
"I can sleep fine, it's just that I don't sleep peacefully because of how alert I need to be, you know, because of all the thieves" I lied.
"Yeah, Ponyville used to be swarming with thieves, luckily for me they didn't see any reason to loot a library" Spike said.
"Wait, you were hiding in a library? What did you eat?" I asked him.
"The library has plenty of food" he said.
"Really?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"Yeah, we could totally hide there until the Princesses return" Spike said. He still hoped they would return?
"The offer is tempting, but I think it's safer if we are always on the move" I told him.
"But Ponyville is basically deserted at this point, we're completely safe" Spike pleaded.
"Look if you and Sweetie Belle want to stay there go ahead, but I need to keep moving" I told him. Sweetie Belle looked shocked from this.
"Are you sure? There is plenty of room in the library." Spike asked. I shook my head and he sighed. "Alright, I guess we'll leave, thank you for everything" He said, holding out his paw for a handshake. I shook his hand and he started leaving. "C'mon Sweetie Belle" he said when she didn't follow.
"But, But" she stuttered, she kept turning to me then Spike.
"It's no problem, you can go with him" I told her, maybe she didn't want to hurt my feelings. I suddenly felt her hooves wrap my back in a hug, almost making me fall back.
"I can't leave you!" she yelled.
"What?" Spike and I asked in unison.
"I can't lose you too!" She yelled. Lose me too?
"Sweetie Belleā¦" Spike trailed off.
"Please! Don't leave us! Don't leave me!" She yelled, her grip getting stronger. She must've lost somepony close. What could I do, if I left her sure she would be devastated but she'd be safer. I stay would mean I'll be bringing her close to danger, and closer to false hope. She'd be safer here with Spike, far away from me.
"You'll be safer here" I told her.
"I don't care" she whispered. I looked at Spike, hoping he could help me but he looked as if he was doubting himself.
"This is for the best" I tried.
"That's what Rarity told me!" she yelled. Again, who is Rarity? "Please don't leave me! I don't want you to die too!" she yelled, I felt her shaking.
"Listen, I can't-" I started.
"Listen, how about we stay a day at the library to get the feel, if you don't like it, we'll go with you" Spike said. He looked like he was trying to remain serious.
"Please" I heard Sweetie Belle whisper. I just sighed to myself.
*Meanwhile, somewhere else*
"And where are the troops stationed?" she asked me.
"I positioned them in sector 2, the rebels there are becoming a threat" I informed them.
"Alright, be sure they get taken out before they reach us here, we don't want them reaching Discord's Statue" she told me.
"Do not worry general Luna, they won't get far" I snickered.
It takes me time to write out this story for some reason, maybe I shouldn't have chosen a first person perspective. xD
