I woke up early today and made breakfast for Twilight and Spike. Fluttershy came by yesterday afternoon and asked me to help feed her animals this morning. Twilight and Spike came down stairs right as I finished the pancakes.
“Good morning, Twilight and Spike.” I greeted.
“Good morning, Crest. Are you going over to Fluttershy?” Twilight asked as Spike dug into his plate of pancakes.
“Yeah, I’ll be back in a couple hours.” I told her before leaving through the door.
I left the library and headed toward Fluttershy’s cottage. When I got there, Fluttershy was already getting out the food for her animals. Some squirrels, bunnies and birds are already out to get some food.
“Good morning, Fluttershy.” I greeted. Fluttershy looked up and saw me coming to her.
“Good morning, Crest. Thank you for helping me feed the animals this morning.” Fluttershy thanked me.
“No problem, Fluttershy. So, where do you want me to start first?” I asked her.
“Well, you could feed the chickens and ferrets.” Fluttershy suggested.
I nodded went over to the chicken pen. There was a basket full of grains and I scattered a hoof full across the pen. There were five chickens in the pen and they pecked the grains on the ground. After that was done, I walked back to the bridge and grabbed a couple of fish in my mouth from the basket Fluttershy had earlier. I jumped into the stream and saw a small dock with two ferrets under the bridge. I tossed the fishes in front of the ferrets and they started eating the fish happily. I walked out of the river and saw Fluttershy flying up to a tree.
Fluttershy was carrying a trio of worms in her mouth to some birds in the tree. She spit the worms out and the birds gobbled them up. She came down in front of her pet bunny’s home as he was eating his carrot.
“Not too fast, now, Angel bunny. You don’t want to get a tummy ache.” Fluttershy gently told him.
Angel bit off the top of his carrot and swallowed it. He looked at Fluttershy angry and dropped his carrot. Angle crossed his arms and looked away. Fluttershy just giggled.
“You really should eat more than that. Don’t you think.” Fluttershy told him. Angel just jumped of his home and hopped away from Fluttershy. Fluttershy picked up the partly eaten carrot with her mouth. “It’s not playtime yet.” She said, flying over to catch up with Angel. I shook my hooves to get the water out of my fur and ran to catch up with them.
Fluttershy fly over Angel and landed in front of him, causing him to come to a screeching halt. I came up right next to Angel “I know you want to run, but just tree more bites.” Fluttershy asked him after she dropped the carrot in front of him. Angel turned his back toward Fluttershy and shook his head. “Two more bites?” she asked. Angel shook his head again. “One more bite? Pretty please.” She asked again, scooting the carrot towards him. Angel just kicked the carrot away and hopped away from us, causing Fluttershy to sigh.
“Don’t worry Fluttershy. Angel’s just being stubborn today.” I said, hoping to lift her mood. Before Fluttershy could respond, Angel suddenly started coughing.
“Oh, goodness. Are you okay.” Fluttershy asked him. Angel continued to cough while looking up.
“Are you coughing because there’s a carrot stuck in your throat?” Fluttershy guessed.
Angel replied with more coughs, but looked a little annoyed. I wonder what he’s looking at.
“Because you need some water?” Fluttershy continued to ask.
Angel emphasized his coughing. I looked up into the skies, and kinda wish I didn’t.
“Um… I’m pretty sure he’s coughing because of that.” I said pointy my hoof in the sky.
Fluttershy looked up and saw what I was seeing. There was a large trail of smoke pouring out of the mountain in the distance. She gasped.
“Because of that giant cloud of scary, black smoke?” Fluttershy asked, see the smoke trail heading straight to Ponyville. Angel threw the carrot at Fluttershy. “I’ll take that as a… yes.” She said. Sometime I wonder why Fluttershy would named her bunny, Angel.
“Come on Fluttershy, we have to warn the town.” I told her. Fluttershy nodded and we ran straight to Ponyville. We started off in the park.
“Help! Help! Please? Help!” Fluttershy tried to shout, but her voice was too soft for anyone but me to hear. “There’s… There’s a horrible cloud of smoke. It’s heading this way and…AAH!” She said, before she ducked under a bouncy ball. Rainbow Dash zoomed out of nowhere and bounced the ball on her head.”
“Are you okay, Fluttershy?” I asked in concern. Fluttershy nodded.
“Don’t be such a scaredy-pony. It’s just me, future Equestria ball-bouncing record holder. 146, 147…” Rainbow Dash counted, continuing to bounce the ball on her head.
“This calls for a celebration!” Pinkie Pie said, observing Rainbow Dash bounce the ball.
“Oh, no, Pinkie Pie. This is no time for celebration. This is a time for panic, for…” Fluttershy didn’t finish as Pinkie Pie interrupted her.
“Ooh! I’m gonna need balloons! One for everypony in Ponyville. Pinkie Pie said, jumping away.
Fluttershy and I ran to catch up to Pinkie Pie. “There’s… there’s smoke, and where there’s smoke, there’s fire, and…” Fluttershy was interrupted again when Pinkie suddenly stopped in front of her.
“Let’s see! That’s 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6…” Pinkie Pie counted everypony in the park.
“154, 155… No, wait.” Rainbow Dash said, losing her count.
“7…” Pinkie Pie said, pointing her hoof at Rainbow Dash. This caused Rainbow Dash miss the ball and she had to catch it with her wing.
“Pinkie Pie! Now I have to start over.” Rainbow Dash told her angrily. I came in between them.
“Rainbow Dash, I’m sorry about your record, but we have bigger problems.” I told them, pointing my hoof to the black smoke in the sky. Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie followed where I was pointing at and gasped.
“Where’d that smoke come from?” Rainbow Dash asked in shock.
“I don’t know Rainbow Dash. At first, I thought there was a forest fire, but the smoke is coming from the top of the mountain.” I told her.
“LISTEN UP!” I heard Twilight yelled. Everypony turned our attention to Twilight, who was standing on the bridge with Spike sitting on her back. “Smoke is spreading over all of Equestria.” She told us.
Everypony began to panic from the news and looked up to the smoke spreading.
“That’s what I’ve been trying to…” Fluttershy tried to talk.
“But don’t worry. I’ve just received a letter from Princess Celestia informing me that it is not coming from a fire.” Twilight told us.
“Oh, thank goodness.” Fluttershy sighed. Wait, then where the fire coming from?
“It’s coming from a dragon.” Twilight finished.
Everypony gasped, especially Fluttershy next to me.
“A…d-d-dragon?” Fluttershy asked in fear.
“Crest, Fluttershy, Pinkie, and Rainbow Dash. I need you two to come with me.” Twilight asked us. We nodded and followed Twilight to the Library.
A little while later, we met up in the library with Applejack and Rarity.
“What in the name of all things cinnamon swirl is a full grown dragon doing in Equestria?” Applejack asked as Twilight was quickly reading one of the books.
“Sleeping.” Twilight answered as she puts the book down.
“Huh?” We said in confusion.
“According to Princess Celestia, he’s taking a nap. His snoring is what’s causing all this smoke.” Twilight explained as she was loading the books in her saddlebag.
“He should really see a doctor. That doesn’t sound healthy at all.” Pinkie said.
“Actually, I’m pretty sure that’s normal for an adult dragon.” I said. Wonder if Spike would eventually snore smoke when he gets older.
“Well, at least he’s not snoring fire.” Rarity added. “What are we meant to do about it?” Rarity asked Twilight.
“I’ll tell you what we’re meant to do. Give him the boot! Take that!” Rainbow Dash said before she kicked the wooden statue head in the middle of the room. Twilight quickly grabbed it with her magic. “And that!” Rainbow Dash said, flying to the statue head again. Twilight levitated it up, causing Rainbow Dash to fly under it and crash in the bookshelf.
“We need to encourage him to take a nap somewhere else.” Twilight said, specifically toward Rainbow Dash. “Princess Celestia has given us this mission, and we must not fail. If we do, Equestria will be covered in smoke for the next 100 years.” Twilight explains. Fluttershy gasped.
Rarity scoffed. “Talk about getting your beauty sleep.” She said.
“All right, everypony, I need you to gather supplies quickly. We’ve got a long journey ahead of us. Let’s meet back here in less than an hour.” Twilight told us as she levitated the saddlebag onto her back.
“Okay, girls and Crest, you heard her! The fate of Equestria is in our hooves. Do we have what it takes?” Rainbow Dash asked us. We agreed confidently as Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash, left the door. All except Fluttershy.
“Um…actually…” Fluttershy softly said.
“Fluttershy, are you okay.” I asked. She's probably afraid of the dragon.
Fluttershy hesitated for a moment. “Um… I’m okay, Crest. Twilight might need me.” She told me and left. I could tell something’s bothering her, but I agreed that she may help us with the dragon. I’ll need to talk to her later.
Thinking of what I could use against the dragon, I went to the downstairs to basement. After Trixie left Ponyville a while ago, I kept some of her magics tricks that survived the Ursa minor crushing it. I was planning on returning them to her incase she ever came back to Ponyville. Since the future of Equestria is a stake, I’m pretty sure Trixie wouldn’t mind if I borrow some of them. I opened the chest with the tricks inside and took out a hoof full of smoke bombs. I went back up stairs and went to the supply cabinet. I took out a first aid kit and placed it in my bag incase one of my friends or I get hurt.
Half an hour later, we met back up at the library. Applejack brought some apples in her saddlebag and Pinkie Pie brought some party equipment.
We lined up side by side as Twilight briefed us for the mission.
“Alright everypony, listen up. I’m mapping out the fastest route, but we all got to keep a good pace if we expect to make it up the mountain by nightfall.” Twilight told us.
“M-mountain?” Fluttershy shivered.
“The dragon is in that cave at the very top.” Twilight said, pointing her hoof at the top of the mountain in the distance.
“Looks pretty cold up there.” Applejack said.
“You bet it is. The higher you go, the chillier it gets.” Rainbow Dash acknowledge.
“Good thing I brought my scarf.” Rarity said, getting out her light pink scarf.
“Ooh! Pretty!” Pinkie Pie said, admiring the scarf before Rarity put it on.
Rainbow Dash chuckled. “Oh, yeah. That’ll keep you nice and cozy.” She said.
I heard Fluttershy gulped. I turned my head and saw her walking towards Twilight as she was reading the map.
“Um, excuse me. Twilight? I know you’re busy, but…” Fluttershy tried to say, but Twilight kept her attention to the map.
“Uh huh. Well, we could go this way.” Twilight said as she read the map.
“But if I could just have a second…” Fluttershy continued, but Twilight kept her eyes on the map.
“Uh huh. No, we want to avoid that.” Twilight said, focusing her eye’s on a specific part of the map.
“So, um, I… I was thinking that, um, maybe I should just stay here in Ponyville.” Fluttershy suggested.
“Uh huh.” Twilight responded, oblivious to Fluttershy’s question.
“Oh, good!” Fluttershy said, relieved. “I’ll stay here and…” She didn’t finish as Twilight realized what Fluttershy asked.
“Wait!” You have to come. Your way with wild animals will surely come in handy.” Twilight explained.
“I don’t think I…” Fluttershy tried to say but didn’t finish.
“Oh, and don’t worry about your little friends in the meadow. Spike’s got it covered while you’re gone.” Twilight told her.
Spike came over an with a baby squirrel and two birds in his arms. “You can count on me.” He said. Angel came up on Spike's head and started kicking him rapidly, causing the animals to scatter. Seriously, why would Fluttershy name that rabbit Angel. “Hey! Hey! Wait!” Spike said, chasing after the animals.
“I don’t really think he’s up to the task. Maybe…But…But…” Fluttershy tried to tell Twilight, but she just walked away. Fluttershy looked down and closed her eyes.
I walked next to Fluttershy and comforted her. “Don’t worry Fluttershy, we’ll be right by you side.” I said, trying to comfort her.
Fluttershy opened her eyes to respond, but saw her shadow. She screamed and jumped into the bush.
“Um… Fluttershy. It’s just your shadow.” I told her. Fluttershy looked around and came out of the bush.
“All right, everypony. Move out.” Twilight told us. My friends followed behind her and were heading towards Fluttershy.
“But… but…” Fluttershy tried to talk, but was carried off by everypony else. I ran to catch up to them as Fluttershy squealed.
After a while, we finally reached the base of the mountain where the dragon is sleeping. We heard the dragon snoring loudly from the top of the mountain. Fluttershy got scared and hid behind me.
“Whoa! What was that?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“That is what it sounds like when a dragon snores.” Twilight answered.
“It’s… It’s so… high.” Fluttershy said behind.
“Well, it is a mountain.” Rainbow Dash told her. "I’m gonna fly up there and check it out!” She was about the fly up there, but Applejack grabbed her tail and pulled her back down.
“Hold on, now. I think we should all go up together. Safety in numbers and all.” Applejack voice her opinion. We nodded our heads in agreement while Fluttershy stared at the mountain.
“Oh, all right.” Rainbow Dash reluctantly agreed.
We began walking up the steep mountain while Rainbow Dash was flying near us.
"I hear the only thing that sparkles more than a dragon’s scales are the jewels they use to build their nests. Ohh! If I play my cards right, I might be able to convince him to part with a few.” Rarity told us.
“Rarity, I know you want one of those jewels, but we need to get him to move somewhere else first.” I told her, causing Rarity to pout.
“Welcome to my cave, Rarity. Care for a diamond? RRARRR!” Pinkie Pie said, trying to imitate the dragon’s voice. Most of us laughed at Pinkie’s antics.
“Everypony! This is no laughing matter.” Twilight told us. She was right, we needed to focus on the mission. “Fluttershy, you’re the expert on wild creatures. What do you think the dragon will be like?” She asked Fluttershy. I turned around to see Fluttershy’s response, but I noticed that she was still at the base of the mountain hiding behind a bush.
“Uh, Twilight.” I said to get her attention. Twilight and the girls turned turned around and saw Fluttershy still on the ground.
“Hey, what are you waiting for? An invitation?” Rainbow Dash asked Fluttershy in annoyance.
“Ohh! I think I have one in my bag.” Pinkie Pie said. Confetti came out of her bag as she grabbed the invitation. Sometimes I wonder what goes on in her head.
“I…it’s so…so…steep.” Fluttershy told us. The dragon must be scaring more than I thought.
“Well, it is a cliff. You could just…oh, I don’t know…fly up here.” Rainbow Dash told her.
“Actually it’s just a slabby hill. Cliffs are vertical steep hills.” I told her. Rainbow Dash gave me a weird look. “What? I live in a library.” I said.
“Come on, Fluttershy, you can do it! Flap those wings.” Pinkie Pie encouraged her.
“Uh…okay.” Fluttershy said. She flapped her wings and started flying off the ground. Suddenly, the dragon snored loudly again, scaring Fluttershy. Her wings locked up and fell on the bush she was hiding behind earlier.
“Fluttershy!” I yelled, worried that she might have gotten hurt. She walked out of the bush unharmed and I sighed in relief.
Fluttershy tried to open her wings again, but they appeared to be shut tight.
Twilight sighed. “We don’t have time for this.” She said in annoyance. Applejack looked at the male hanging from Twilight’s bag and grabbed it with her mouth. “What are you doing?” Twilight asked Applejack.
“I’ll need this if I’m gonna take her around the mountain another way.” Applejack told her.
“Ohh! Around the mountain?” Rainbow Dash groaned. Applejack jumped down and slid to the bottom. “That’s gonna take them forever.” She complained.
“I’ll go with them.” I told them before sliding down as well.
As I was sliding down, the dragon snored loudly again, causing Fluttershy fall on her back, petrified with fear.
“Don’t worry, Twi. We’ll be there lickety-split.” Applejack told her as I reached the bottom.
“Can you help me place Fluttershy on my back, Applejack?” I asked.
“Sure, Crest.” Applejack said, before she picked Fluttershy and placed her on my back.
Applejack memorized the path we’re suppose to take and we headed around the mountain. I didn’t want to sound rude, but I started to get tired of carrying Fluttershy after a while. Luckily, we reached the others that were waiting for us. I noticed a lot of tic tack toes around the ground.
“We made it.” Applejack said.
“Told you it was gonna take them forever.” I heard Rainbow Dash whisper to Twilight.
I laid Fluttershy down gently and rested for a second before I had to carry her again. Luckily, Fluttershy started to wake up.
“Oh…what happened?” Fluttershy asked.
“I had to carry you part of the way up the mountain.” I told her.
Fluttershy looked away in shame. “I…I’m sorry Crest.” Fluttershy said as she looked like she was about to cry. I lifted her chin with my hoof.
“Fluttershy, I know your scared of the dragon, heck all of us are scared of it.” I gently told her.
“Really.” Fluttershy asked.
“Yeah, but even so, I’m a whole lot braver when my friends are with me.” I told her.
Fluttershy was about to respond but Rainbow Dash interrupted her. “Hey! Are you two coming or what!?” Rainbow Dash yelled.
“We’re coming.” I responded and turned back to Fluttershy. “Just remember Fluttershy, our friends and I are here to help you. As long as we're here with you, there's no reason to be scared.” I told her.
Fluttershy smiled a bit. “Okay, I’ll try and be a little braver.” She said.
We continued with everyone else up the mountain until we reached a break in the path. Rainbow Dash was the first to run up and jump to the other side. We reached jumped across it one at a time with Fluttershy being the last one. She got scared again hugged a near by boulder.
“Your turn, Fluttershy.” Twilight told her.
“But it’s so wide.” Fluttershy responded. I looked down and honestly the path isn’t that wide in my opinion.
“Come on, Fluttershy. We should be much farther along by now.” Twilight told her. I hate it, but I have to agree with her.
“You could just leap on over.” Applejack suggested.
“I…” She didn’t finished as the dragon snored loudly again. “I don’t know.” She curled up into a ball in fear. I jumped back over the other side.
“Don’t worry Fluttershy, I know you can do this. I'll be right here and help you.” I encouraged her. She looked up at me for a moment and smiled.
“Yeah! There’s nothing to be afraid of.” Pinkie Pie said. “It’s just a hop, skip, and a jump! See?” Pinkie Pie said after she jumped back over and started to sing. “It's not very far. Just move your little rump. You can make it if you try with a hop, skip and jump!”
“We don’t have time for this.” Twilight said.
“A hop, skip and a jump. Just move your little rump. A hop, skip and jump. A hop, skip, and jump, A hop, skip and jump, a hop, skip, and jump, a hop, skip, and jump!” Pinkie Pie finished.
“Okay. Here I go.” Fluttershy said as she walked to the edge. Our friends and I cheered her on. “A hop…skip.” She said before she jumped.
“Just don’t look down.” Twilight told her.
‘WHY WOULD YOU TELL HER THAT!!!’ I thought. Of course, Fluttershy looked down and saw how high she is.
“Aah!” she yelped, but her front hoofs caught the of the jump.
I went behind her and gave her a push while Pinkie Pie and Rarity pulled her across.
“I guess I forgot to jump.” Fluttershy told us.
“Don’t worry about it Fluttershy. And Twilight, I don’t want to critical, but when you tell somepony to look down, they usually look down.” I told her.
“Sorry.” Twilight apologized with a sheepish smile.
We continued on the path until we came across some trees growing out of the mountain.
“Let’s keep it down. According to my map, we’re entering an avalanche zone. The smallest peep could cause a huge rockslide.” Twilight warned us.
“An…an ava…ava.” Fluttershy tried to say.
“Shh!” Twilight shushed her.
We walked as quietly as we could on the path. I heard some leaves rustle in the tree above us and saw that it was Rainbow Dash. Wish she could be a little more carful. Before I looked away, I saw a falling leaf land on Fluttershy
“AVA…” She yelled, but I quickly covered her mouth my hoof. We could hear the echo of Fluttershy around the mountain side and feared the worse. Nothing happened and we all sighed. Unfortunately, we could feel the ground shake and see some rocks falling down the cliff above us.
“AVALANCHE!” We panicked as boulders started to fall down. We all tried to move out of the way from the huge boulders, but they were coming down around us. I saw some boulders head toward Twilight. Applejack managed to tackle Twilight out of the way in time.
While I was looking away, a stray large rock hit the side of my back right leg hard. I fell over just as the rockslide ended. Everyone was coughing from the dust caused by the rockslide.
“Everypony okay?” Applejack asked.
“Thanks to you, I am.” Twilight thanked Applejack.
I saw Fluttershy pope out of a pile of dirt, and Rarity was covered in dirt next to. She shook it off her coat and onto Pinkie Pie’s.
“Whoo-hoo! Let’s do it again!” Pinkie Pie said excitedly.
“This is why a girl always pack extra accessories.” Rarity said before she replaced her previous scarf with one from her bag. “Oh, please tell me I brought the tiara that that goes with this.” She said.
Rainbow Dash flew down to Rarity. “Uh, I think we got bigger problems than making sure our hair bows match our horseshoes.” She told her, gesturing to the large pile of dirt blocking our way.
I tried to stand up, but I could feel my leg slightly hurt. I looked over it and saw my leg was scraped and slightly bleeding from the rock.
“Uh. Girls.” I said, getting their attention. The girls look at me and noticed my bleeding leg.
“Crest!” The girl’s yelled and ran to my side. Rainbow Dash glared at Fluttershy.
“Now look what you did Fluttershy! Crest got hurt because of you!” Rainbow Dash yelled at her. I looked at Rainbow Dash with a stern look.
“That’s enough Rainbow Dash.” I told her.
“But…” Rainbow Dash tried to interject, but I stopped her.
“No. What happened, happened. Getting on to Fluttershy isn’t gonna change that.” I told her, before I took the first aid kit from my bag. “Fluttershy, can you help me with my leg.” I asked her.
She nodded with out hesitation. She opened my first aid kit and bandaged my wound up. I stood back up, and I can feel my leg hurt a little.
“Do you think you can continue Crest.” Twilight asked me.
“Yeah, though I'll have to be careful when we reach the dragon.” I told her.
“Alright Crest, now all we have to do…” Twilight sighs. “climb over.” She said looking at the huge pile of dirt.
We began to climb as Rainbow Dash flew over us. Applejack was next to me incase I needed help climbing with my injured leg. Those of us walking started grunting over the difficulty of climbing up. It became even more difficult on the way down. Twilight was the first to reach the ground. My ears picked up something sliding down behind me and I looked over my shoulder. I saw Fluttershy and Rarity sliding down fast.
“Applejack, brace behind us.” I told her as I dug my to the ground. Applejack turned her head around and did the same thing. When Rarity and Fluttershy ran into us, we managed to slow them down before we reach the bottom. Rainbow Dash flew over and helped Rarity stand.
“My apologies.” Rarity said.
“Not your fault.” Rainbow Dash sarcastically told her while staring at Fluttershy. Fluttershy looked down in guilt. I stared at Rainbow Dash in frustration, but I help my mouth.
We continued on the path to the dragon’s cave on the summit. Rainbow Dash flew next to Twilight.
“Still think it was a good idea to bring Fluttershy along?” Rainbow Dash asked her.
“We’re about to find out. We're here.” Twilight told her as we arrived at the dragon’s cave. The cave entrance was huge and the large black smoke was coming out of it. Twilight turned around toward us.
“Rainbow Dash, you’ll use your wings to clear the smoke.” Twilight told her. Rainbow Dash flew up and started clearing the smoke.
“Rarity and Pinkie Pie, you create a diversion to distract the dragon if things get a little hairy in there.” Twilight told them. Pinkie Pie got out a rubber chicken with her mouth and started swinging it around. Rarity looked confused at Pinkie Pie’s antic, as did Twilight and I.
I took out the smoke bombs from my bag. "Here you go. These should help you distract the dragon." I said as I gave the smoke bombs to Rarity and Pinkie Pie.
“Applejack, you’re ready with the apples in case he decides to attack.” Twilight told her. Applejack grabbed a couple of apple with her mouth and tossed them in the air. When they came back down, she kicked them at the tree and they splatted to pieces.
“Crest, do you think you can help either Applejack or Pinkie and Rarity should something go wrong.” Twilight asked me.
I looked at my injured leg and back at her. “I’ll manage.” I told Twilight.
“Okay Crest, but it the dragon shouldn’t attack because Fluttershy will do what she needs to do to wake him up. And between the two of us, we should be able to get him to understand why he needs to go. Is everypony ready?” Twilight asked us.
All of us nodded excitedly besides Fluttershy.
“Okay, then. We’re going in.” Twilight said before she went into the cave. Fluttershy didn’t move a muscle as Twilight went inside.
“Twilight, wait.” I called out. Twilight turned around and saw Fluttershy bury her head into the ground. She sighs in annoyance and comes back.
“Come on!” Twilight said before she pulled on Fluttershy’s wings. “We have to do this.” She tried to pushed push Fluttershy but she wouldn’t budge.
“Twilight, I think there’s something Fluttershy needs to tell you.” I told her and she stopped pushing.
“I…I…I can’t go in the cave.” Fluttershy said, causing everypony to groan.
“Oh, great! She’s scared of caves now, too.” Rainbow Dash said.
“I’m not scared of caves. I’m scared of dr…” Fluttershy tried to say, but couldn’t bring herself to admit it.
“What’s that sugar cube?” Applejack asked.
“I’m scared of Drag…” Fluttershy tried to say again.
“What?” Twilight asked.”
“I’m scared of dragons!” Fluttershy admitted right before the dragon snored loudly again and spread smoke around us. We all coughed as the smoke subsided and I noticed Fluttershy was hiding behind me.
“But, Fluttershy, you have a wonderful talent dealing with all kinds of animals.” Twilight said.
“Yes, because they’re not dragons.” Fluttershy told Twilight.
“Oh, come on! We’ve seen you walk right up to a horrible manticore like it was nothing.” Rainbow Dash said. She has a point.
“Yes, because he wasn’t a dragon.” Fluttershy told Rainbow Dash.
“Spike is a dragon. You’re not scared of him.” Pinkie Pie said.
“Yes, because he’s not a huge, gigantic, terrifying, enormous, teeth-gnashing, shark-scale-having, horn-wearing, smoke-snoring, could-eat-a-pony-in-one-bite, totally all grown up dragon.” Fluttershy said before said dragon snored loudly. Fluttershy got scared again and hugged the ground.
“But if you’re so afraid of dragons, why didn’t you say something before we came all the way up here? And Crest, why didn’t you tell us.” Twilight asked us.
“I was afraid to.” Fluttershy answered.
“I was trying to help Fluttershy overcome her fear of the dragon without forcing her to do it. Also, in my defense, it was pretty obvious that Fluttershy was scared, and none of you noticed.” I excused. Rainbow Dash groaned at our answer.
Applejack walked over to Fluttershy and nudged her up. “All of us are scared of that dragon." She told Fluttershy.
“I’m not!” Rainbow Dash gloated.
“Not helping Rainbow Dash.” I commented.
“Almost all of us are scared of that dragon, but we’ve got a job to do. So get in there with Twilight and show her what you’re made of.” Applejack tried to convince her.
“I…I…I just…can’t.” Fluttershy told us before she walked away.
“Oh, Fluttershy.” Twilight said.
I turned to Twilight. “I’ll go and try to talk with Fluttershy, Twilight.” I told her before I walked over to Fluttershy. Twilight and the rest of my friends tried to persuade the dragon. “Fluttershy, wait up.” I called out.
Fluttershy turned around and saw me. “Crest?” Fluttershy said.
I looked at a nearby rock near the entrance of the cave. “Mind if we sit down?” I asked.
“Um…Okay.” Fluttershy agreed and we sat behind the rock, away from the others. This way, Fluttershy wouldn't be distracted. “I’m sorry Crest. I’m just not brave like the rest of you.” She said as she started to whimper. I took my hoodie off.
“Fluttershy, what do you think being brave means?” I asked her.
“It’s not having fear, right?” Fluttershy said.
I shook my head. “Not really. Bravery is facing fear despite how scare you are.” I answered. Fluttershy still looked unsure. I noticed more smoke over us and heard our friends talking, though I wasn’t focused on them. “And if it makes you feel better, did I ever tell you my worst fear?” I asked her. Fluttershy shook her head. “My worst fear is seeing you and our friends get hurt. Ever since I woke up in the Ponyville Hospital, you and the girls where some of the first ponies who accepted who I am without judging me. That’s why no matter how scare I am, I will always be there you and our friends.” I told her smiling.
“But what if I mess up? I’ve been nothing but a burden since we came up here.” Fluttershy said as she began to cry.
“Fluttershy, please don’t ever say your a burden.” I said as I wiped her tears. “Your one of the most amazing ponies I know. Your kind, gentle, and caring. I don’t think you see how amazing you really are. I believe in you Fluttershy, and so do our friends.” I told her.
Fluttershy stopped crying a little. “R…Really?” She asked. I was about to respond, but before I could respond, I heard Rainbow Dash’s voice behind the rock.
“All right! That’s it! We tried persuasion, charm, whatever it is Pinkie Pie does. It’s time to stop wasting time! I’m going in!” I heard Rainbow yell.
“RAINBOW DASH, NO!” I yelled as I quickly walk beside the rock, feeling the pain of my injured leg.
“GET OUT!” I heard her yell from the cave. I don’t know what happened after a couple moments, but the dragon let out a terrifying roar in absolute anger. I saw Rainbow Dash being blown out of the cave and knocking our friends down like bowling balls. The girls got up and ran away from the cave as the dragon poked his head out of it. The dragon was completely huge. Unlike Spike, he had red scales and razor sharp dark green spikes. My friend gathered together, hugging each other in fear as the dragon crawled out of the cave. The dragon road out black smoke at the girls and sent them flying toward the rock Fluttershy was behind. I quickly got in between them to soften the blow for them. I tried to stand my ground, but I got blown as well.
“AHHH!” I yelled in pain as I was rammed against the rock. I'm gonna be feeling that in the morning. We fell to the ground, dazed from the impact. We got rammed into the rock so hard, it started to crack and shattered to bits, revealing Fluttershy hiding behind it.
I slowly stood up, but I could feel my body ache from the impact. The dragon looked at me, and prepared to attack us again.
“How dare you?” Fluttershy said, though it sounded like she was angry. I looked over my shoulder and I never saw Fluttershy look angry before now. “HOW DARE YOU!” She yelled before she flew up to the dragons face. “Listen her, mister! Just because you’re big doesn’t mean you get to be a bully! You may have huge teeth and sharp scales and snore smoke and breathe fire, but you do not, I repeat, YOU DO NOT HURT MY FRIENDS!! You got that?” Fluttershy told the dragon. The dragon coward away from her and I thought I heard it whimper. “Well?” She asked him.
“But that rainbow one kicked me.” The dragon told her, pointing his claw at Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash nodded proudly, but I gave her a disapproving look. If a pony kicked me in the face while I was sleeping, I would be angry too.
“And I am very sorry about that. But you’re bigger than she is, and you should know better. You should also know better than to take a nap where your snoring can become a health hazard to other creatures.” Fluttershy told him.
“But I…” The dragon tried to say, but Fluttershy interrupted him.
“Don’t you 'but I' me, mister. Now, what do you have to say for yourself?” Fluttershy asked him in an authoritative voice, but the dragon didn’t respond. “I said, what do you have to say for yourself.” She asked again. The dragon started sobbing with his tears falling all around me and the girls.
“Nice work Fluttershy.” I proudly said.
“There, there. No need to cry. You’re not a bad dragon. You just mad a bad decision. Now, go pack your things. You just need to find a new place to sleep. That’s all.” Fluttershy said as she flew back down to us.
My friends and I gathered around Fluttershy and cheered for her. The dragon returned to his cave and began packing his treasure.
“You did it. I knew you could do it.” Twilight joyfully told Fluttershy.
“She not the only one.” I said smiling.
The dragon came back out of the cave and flew away. Something moved in the corner of my eye and quickly disappeared. I turned to see what it was, but I couldn’t find it.
“Is something wrong, Crest?” Twilight asked me.
I tried to listen for anything moving beside the girls and I, but I couldn’t hear anything. “It’s nothing, I just thought I saw something.” I told her, before I felt my leg hurt again. “How about we go home?” I suggested. All of them nodded in agreement.
By the time we returned to Ponyville, we saw many pegasi ponies clearing up the smoke above the town. Twilight and I went back to the library while Rainbow Dash worked on breaking her world record.
When we opened the front door, we heard a commotion from upstairs. We quickly walked upstairs to Twilight’s room and saw that Spike was having a tough time with the animals. He was chasing Angel across Twilight's room.
“I said, come back!” Spike said before he ran into the book shelf. Angel was trying to climb up it, but Spike grabbed his leg and pulled him back down. “How does Fluttershy put up with you furry little things?” He said as Angel tried to get free. Guess Spike bit of more than he could chew.
“Spike?” Twilight said, getting Spike’s attention. “Take a letter.” She said.
“With Pleasure.” Spike said as he dropped Angel. He took out a letter and quill.
“Dear Princess Celestia, I am happy to report that the dragon has departed our fair country and that it was my good friend Fluttershy who convinced him to go. This adventure has taught me to never lose faith in your friends. They can be an amazing source of strength and can help you overcome even your greatest fears. Always your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle.” Twilight said.
“Twilight, Crest, ya’ll got to come see this!” We heard Applejack call out. We looked out eh balcony and saw our friends watching Rainbow Dash bounce the ball on her head. “She’s just five away from a new pony record.” She told us.
“347, 348…” Rainbow Dash counted. Suddenly, we heard somepony mimic the sound of the dragon. I didn’t by it, but Rainbow Dash sure did. “DRAGON!” Rainbow Dash yelled in fear before she fell on her back.
We all laughed at the scare prank.
“Why are you laughing? That awful dragon is back!” Rainbow Dash asked.
“RRARRR!” Pinkie Pie roared in front of Rainbow Dash, revealing that it was her roaring like a dragon. As funny as it was, Pinkie could have waited until after Rainbow broke the record.
“Pinkie Pie, you scared me!” Rainbow Dash told her before she realized what she said. “I mean, uh…you broke my concentration. ” She tried to say.
Fluttershy flew down next to Rainbow Dash. “It’s okay, Rainbow Dash. Not everypony can be as brave as me.” Fluttershy told her.
A leaf floated down to Rainbow Dash’s head and she blew it back up. The leaf ended up on Fluttershy’s back. Fluttershy screamed in fear and fell on her back. Everypony laughed while Twilight shook her head and I chuckled.
While I’m glad it all worked out, there was one thing that was bothering me. What was it that moved after Fluttershy convinced the dragon to leave.