Over the years, Astral Plane had grown taller, stronger, and faster. But years of walking on soft forest floors and loose gravel had left her hooves soft and easy to bruise.
Case in point: the dragon lands.
The barren expanse of rocks and gems quickly wore her hooves down until she cast a basic heal spell on her hooves and started trudging on again, repeating the same cycle over and over again.
It didn’t help that the dragon lands was one of the most ugly places she had ever seen, with no relief from the monotony.
Still, the tall, dark spire in the distance steadily grew bigger with every hoofstep and teleport , until she came out of the latter to smash her nose up against the dark obsidian wall. She backed up a bit to get a better view of the tower, and of the dragon on top.
Dragon Lord Ember eyed her suspiciously, her second in command Smolder looking just as caught out. “Who are you?” The orange dragon asked, lifting her spear semi threateningly.
“I mean you no harm” Astral said, channeling her years of etiquette and humiliation and laying down on her stomach, a sight that apparently meant submission in dragon. Which, okay.
At least it gets Ember to relax slightly, and she tilts her head at the Unicorn. “What are you doing here then?”
Astral felt a grin pull at the corner of her mouth as she pushed herself up, and said “I mean you no harm, for I am but a simple traveler, wishing to see the world in all its forms.” It was a strange speech, alright, complete with wild gestures and over the top facial expressions, derived from one of Astral's favorite movies.
Now Ember just looked uncertain.
“You want to . . see the dragon lands? That’s it?” At Astral nod, her frown deepened. “Most ponies need permission before entering the dragon lands, and I know I didn’t give it to to you.”
Oops. Astral held back a wince at that, ears flopping down in disappointment. “I-I'm sorry. I didn’t know” she said, completely sincere. “I just wanted to see it once before I moved on.”
There were a few seconds of silence, where Ember just stared at Astral, scrutinizing her closely. It was only when Smolder moved forwards, probably to kick Astral out, that she spoke.
“No” she said “let her in.”
Astral wasn’t the only one who gave Ember a surprised look, Smolder looked like her ruler had just announced the sky was yellow. Ember saw the looks she was getting and frowned
“She came a long way for this. The least we can do is give her a quick tour.”
Smolder is the one who gives the tour, leading her into a ring full of dragons of all shapes and sizes. When they realize Astral is here, their eyes narrow and they don’t stop staring.
Smolder seems unfazed, giving the others a brief glare as she leads her temporary charge to a place where she could rest her hooves.
. . . . Only to be blocked by a red dragon.
“Garble” Smolder said warily as Astral peered around the orange dragon’s lanky body to state up at the male.
“Smolder” Garbled returns, smile wide and dangerous. “How’s my favorite little sister?”
Sister? Astral glanced between the two, trying to see the resemblance. I guess if you kind of squint at it and tilt your head they look a little alike. . . .
Garble seemed a lot more interested in the pony than his own sister, taking a step closer as Smolder flared out her wings, blocking Astral from sight.
“Relax, sis, I just wanna see the newcomer” he soothed, using a claw to close his sisters wings. “Well, it’s been a while since a namby pamby pony walked in here. Last time it happened” he slapped his chest “I kicked their ass.”
Astral felt her lips curl back into a sarcastic smile. “Try it. You’ll get maybe two hits in before I year out your spine.”
Garbled ears perked even as the other dragons started to gather around, obviously interested in the upcoming fight.
“Garble. .” Smolder warned, tense as she looked between the pony and dragon.
“Didn’t you hear her?” Garble asked, tilting his head dangerously. “She wants to fight” he held our his arms, as if about to hug someone. “Who am I to disappoint?”
Some of the dragons began cheering and hooting, though Astral noticed a good few glancing uncertainly around, obviously uncomfortable with the idea.
She held out a hoof to grab Shoulders attention. “it’s okay, Miss Smolder. I’ll be fine” she assured the other, who did not look reassured in the slightest but moved away all the same.
It almost surprised her when Garble lunged at her- he was a lot faster than she was expecting. But she managed to roll out of the way and rise onto her back legs to face him. He tried to grab her tail, but she jumped, landing in a barrel roll that allowed her to miss the dragons flames .
Magic never really worked against dragons but all the same, she called in Aegis to send at him. As expected, they mainly just bounced off him, but it did distract him long enough for Astral to deliver two fast kicks to the chest, sending him stumbling backwards in an attempt to right himself.
Astral didn’t give him that opportunity instead casting an ice spell to freeze him in place. “Are. You. Done?” She asked, with each word advancing on him with a step.
Garble swallowed and let out a whimper.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t quite hear that.”
“Yes yes I’m done!” He cried inching back a bit.
“Good.”
Astral turned back around, expecting to find awe on the dragons expressions, only to see varying expressions of anger and disgust.
“What?”
Smolder glared at her, crossing her arms. “what?” She repeated incredulously. “We allow you to enter our realm without any strings and you attack one of us!”
“He started it!” Astral protested already feeling foolish.
But the damage was done and Smolder narrowed her eyes. “Flare” She said over her shoulder. “Please escorts our . . guest to the border.”
The second Astral was alone she was awash with anger and humiliation.
How long had she been trained on basic equities by the Princess and aunt Rarity? She should of have known that you shouldn’t attack one of the natives who just let you into the country.
Gods I am such an idiot