//------------------------------// // Chapter Ten: Delicious Fish // Story: Dragon Cleansing: A Tale of the Dragonborn // by duvagr007 //------------------------------// Chapter 10 After you had finished 'training' the ponies, as it was really just to get them to a point of moderate hope for survival, you led them back to the camp for dinner. Though, with what you were used to eating, it could hardly be called as such. Grilled vegetables, steamed vegetables, and raw vegetables and fruits. Wonderful. It's not like you were complaining, you've made due on far less, but would it kill them to have some fried salmon? Actually, given that they were herbivores, it just might. But all of this was besides the point, as the real concern was how well they had done in training. "Alright everyo- er, everypony, listen up." You spoke with a tone of mock anger and disappointment, attempting to build to one of your favorite types of jokes. They all turned to you, some with looks of confusion, others with mild fear. "I took a look at what each and every one of you did out there today, and I must admit myself..." Pause for dramatic effect, "Highly pleased with how well you did! Not only did you show considerable levels of proficiency with your particular weapons, but you did so with only two days of training. I do believe you ready to take on a few dragons." Their previous faces of confusion melted away, some turning to annoyance, others to laughter in the case of Rainbow Dash and Pinkie. You figured they would be able to appreciate you joke. They seemed like the ones who enjoyed pulling a few themselves every now and again. You joined in laughter with them, but quieted down when Twilight spoke up. "Well J'Dagna, I'm glad you think us ready, but are you sure? I mean we have only been training for two days, and I highly doubt we're prepared to fight against dragons for our lives." "I'm sure Twilight," you responded, a small smile on your face. "Though it would be in your best interest to remember, I didn't train you so you could go rushing in with me, taking on several dragons at once alone. I trained you that, through your combined efforts, you might be able to hold your own should one of them attack you instead of me." "Wait a minute!" Rainbow Dash... of course she would object. "You mean to tell me you trained just in case we might have to fight some dragons? I was looking forward to kicking some scaled butt!" "That is what I'm telling you Rainbow. Believe me when I say, a dragon is far tougher than you are. You alone could not defeat one, not without great injury, and a great deal of luck." "A dragon, tougher than me? Psh, yeah right. I bet I could take one. I mean, how hard could it be?" "Believe me when I tell you, you don't want to find out. They breath fire hot enough to melt iron, with claws like razors, and scales thick enough to turn even the mightiest of blows. Trust me on this one Rainbow Dash, and try to look past your own veil of boasting. Fighting a dragon by yourself will do nothing but get you killed." She just stared at you after that, hovering in the air, trying to decide what to say. Finally, she settled for simply sitting down and finishing her food. You looked to the rest of them seated around the camp fire. "The same goes for all of you. Do not try to fight a dragon alone. I don't want to have to tell your princesses that I am only returning with five ponies because the sixth was eaten, squashed, or burned." The fear in their eyes told you that you had perhaps gone a bit too far, but you didn't really care. They needed to hear the truth, no matter how gruesome it may be. Perhaps their fear would keep them alive. That was a good a chance as any, you decided, and it was far better than no chance at all. "Hurry and finish your meals, and rest up. We leave for the mountains in the morning." __________ Once again you rose with the sun, accustomed to being able to sleep for the exact amount of time you felt necessary. At least down to the hour anyways. Half or quarter-hour resting periods seemed to elude you for one reason or another, but that was of no consequence. Today you and your entourage were to set out for the mountains in hopes of finding Alduin. I still can't believe he still lives... and I find him here no less. You sighed inwardly and rose from your makeshift bed. That bed being a particularly comfortable patch of leaves on the ground. An uncomfortable sleep was better than no sleep however, and you felt better for having gotten some rest. You stood fully now and stretched, a series of loud pops emanating from your back, neck, and shoulders. Today was going to be tiring if nothing else. You began to get your belongings gathered as you waited for the ponies to awaken. Hopefully they didn't sleep for much longer, as you were ready to get moving. If push came to shove you could always wake them yourself, but letting them sleep for as long as they could would be better for everyone. After you finished getting your things together, which didn't take long, as you don't have much you keep with you, you decided now would be a good time for breakfast. You looked around and noted that all the ponies were still sleeping peacefully, and the fire was still smoldering. After only a moments thought, the fire was re-lit with a fireball from your hand, and a salmon steak was pulled from your bag and thrown on the fire. Hopefully the smell wouldn't wake the ponies, but even if it did you reckoned you could talk your way out of the situation. You sat down and began tending to your food, shifting it this way, moving it that with your emergency ebony dagger. A quick flip and the process was repeated. The fish was nearly done when the pony who was likely to be the least understanding yawns, and sits up. Fluttershy. She gets on all fours, slowly and drunkenly walks over, sits next to you, and looks at you with nearly closed eyes. her nose crinkles, she looks at the fire and your breakfast, and you can't help but follow her gaze. Noticing the food is done, you pull it off the fire and set it on a wooden plate you keep with you. Not having a fork or anything, you settle for cutting the steaming fish with your dagger, and using your claws as a fork. You bring the amazing looking (and smelling) fish to your watering mouth to take a bite. just before your jaws close on the salmon however, Fluttershy mumbles something to you. "Misser J'Dagna.. was- *yawn* wassat?" You lower your meal and look at her. Alright... play it off like it's nothing. "My breakfast. I awoke early and got packed, so I figured I would eat." Please don't press the issue, PLEASE don't press the issue... "Smells mgood... can have some?" You can tell she has no clue as to what's going on. She may even be sleepwalking. "Uh... I'm not so sure that's the best-" "Aw c'mon. Jus a wittle bite? I swear I wun't ask fer *yawn* any more." Even in this non-cognitive state, she still manages to give you a face you can't say no to, regardless of the no-doubt catastrophic consequences that will come from feeding a pony fish. You relent, against your better judgement, and cut off a small portion of the fish for her. Every part of your brain is screaming at you to stop, but you can't help it. You give her the small bit of fish, and watch as she eats it, making a cute little *om* noise as she does so. She chews happily, completely oblivious to what she's just eaten. "Thanks misser J'Dagna. Was good... what issit?" Oh no... this is bad. "Um... fish." No! You idiot, you weren't supposed to tell her that! Bad mouth! "Oh. Sgood. Y'know I've some little fishies in my pond back home. I didn't know hey were so... good... wait." Oh dear... she's waking up. You can see the realization dawn on her face. By the nine... what have I done? "AHHHHHHHHHHHHH- *Please stand by, your irregularly scheduled chapter of Dragon Cleansing will return in a moment. Thank you for your patience.* "Fluttershy I'm sorry! You... you made this face and I couldn't stop myself and I'm so so sorry. Please stop crying. I don't want to cry too... please just... I'll uh, I'll make it up to you! Somehow..." You were trying your best to comfort her. She was curled in a ball next to the fire, crying so loudly that it almost hurt you sensitive ears. This, in turn, made you start to tear up. Imagine, all your years and everything you've encountered and it's a crying yellow pegasus that finally turns on your waterworks. Though this wasn't even the main issue, it was the fact that her scream had woken up all the other ponies, who were now rushing over to investigate. Twilight got to you first, and before she could ask any questions, she saw the plate of fish and had already begun to piece together what the problem was. "Oh no... Fluttershy. It's okay, shh. You knew J'Dagna was a carnivore. You feed some of your animals at home meat, why is this any different?" Well... maybe she didn't figure out the WHOLE thing. Regardless, Fluttershy wasn't talking, so you had to. "Um... Twilight?" She looked over at you, nothing but concern on her face. "Can we talk... i-in private? Please?" Confusion now. She simply nods, and you lead her away a bit to be out of earshot of the others. "J'dagna, listen, you don't need to feel guilty or anything. I honestly have no idea why this is getting to her so badly. Like I said, she-" "I know what the real issue is." She stops and looks at you, confused yet again. "Um... what real issue?" "Well.. she was asleep, sort of. She came over to me and asked what I was doing. I told her I was eating breakfast, and she asked if she could try some. I tried to resist at first but... that face. Those eyes. I couldn't stop myself." The confusion remained. "What are you talking abou-oh. Oh no. Oh no no no nononononononononono! What were you... how did... why would you... GAH!" "I'm so sorry! Like I said she made this face and before I could even consider trying to think about stopping myself she had already eaten some and then I told her what it was without thinking and she woke up and she realized what just happened and then she screamed and then you came out and now we're here and I'm so sorry-y-y!!!" "I... look, it was clearly an accident, so let's try and move past this. I'll forgive you, but it's Fluttershy who you really need to talk to. You didn't give her much did you?" "No, just a small piece. I don't suppose her liking it helps at all does it?" You only got a glare in response. "No. It doesn't. Now go over there and explain things to her. I have to let the girls know what happened and try to keep Rainbow from killing you. Those two may as well be sisters they way Dash takes care of her. Or maybe it's something more, but that's not important right now. What IS important is that Flutters gets talked to. By you. try not to make her cry again." You merely nod, and head back to camp, Twilight right behind you. "Girls," at Twilights voice, the other four ponies turned and looked at her, then you, then back to her. " Come with me. J'Dagna needs to speak to Fluttershy, and I need to speak with you. Rainbow, hear me out till the end, got it?" "Uh... sure thing Twi, but whats going on?" Twilight remained silent, and just walked back to where you and her just talked. The four mares trot past you, and you walk over to Fluttershy. You kneel down beside her, and lightly pet her head. Why? Because it just feels right. "Listen, Fluttershy, I-" "Are they gone?" She interrupts you, her voice barely above a whisper. "Sorry?" "My friends... are they gone?" "Um... yes. Why?" She gets up and sighs in... relief? What in the name of Akatosh... "Oh good. I wasn't sure how much longer I could keep that fake crying routine up. Listen, you can't tell any of them that this is how this conversation went, okay? They can't know that I actually really LOVE eating fish. I keep it a secret because it would just break their hearts, and I am the element of kindness after all. So... wanna split the rest?" What. The. Fu- "HE DID WHAT?!" That'll be Rainbow Dash. You turn around, only to have your face be met with a blue hoof traveling close to the speed of sound. Of course, you black out. Wouldn't be the first time. You just hope this time you don't wake up in a shed in the middle of nowhere with the lives of three people in your hands. That one time was enough.