//------------------------------// // Ch 8: The Crusaders and a Saiyan // Story: My little Dragon Ball: FuyuMori // by Tundricwolf //------------------------------// As the Element Bearers approached Zecora’s home, they all saw something that made them smile. Applebloom was there. She was outside with Arctic and Glacious. She was watching in awe as Arctic moved around. His movements resembled dancing. As he did so, a massive glowing snowflake encased in two circles with multiple symbols in between sat beneath his feet. Shining snowflakes and water swirled around him. Even the air around him had cooled giving the area around a nice cool feel. That made the girls sigh in relief. It was a rather hot day, so this was very much needed. Applebloom as she watched, asked Arctic and Glacious multiple times if she could learn to do this someday. Glacious just smiled, knowing the filly wanted to learn how to use her magic. Applebloom, catching something out of the corner of her eye, looked over. She saw her sister and her friends and she gave a small smile. “Hey Y’all.” Applebloom said. The girls all said ‘Hi’ back, though Applejack’s was a bit quieter. Her and Applebloom’s relationship was slightly strained. Applebloom was still a bit upset with Applejack and the others. She was still quite perturbed regarding the fact that they had attacked her friends. She wondered if they were ever going to apologize for that. Though, she didn’t know about the girls plans to make up to the four they attacked. “Hello again, young mares.” Glacious said. Arctic was silent but he gave a small wave. He, much like Applebloom, was still a bit upset. Though, he had heard stories from Applebloom about how the six were good ponies. So, he was willing to at least give them a chance at least. Just then, Zecora and Tree Hugger walked out. “Oh. The six young mares have returned. What brings you all here?” Zecora asked. “Hopefully it isn’t to attack us again.” Tree Hugger muttered under her breath. Which earned her a small jab to her side by Zecora, who had heard what she said. “Uh, we wanted to invite you over to Ponyville for something.” Twilight said. “Y..you want us to come to Ponyville?” Asked Zecora, a bit shocked to hear that. “Well yeah!” Said Pinkie. “We wanted you to come cause we have something planned and we want you to be a part of it!” The four just blinked in confusion. They were all still pretty sure the Ponies of Ponyville would run and hide from them, which they felt would make things awkward. Just then Applebloom perked up. “You should go. Y’all could get to see more of Ponyville. And Mister Arctic, you could meet mah friends!” Applebloom said with enthusiasm. “Ah’ve told them about yah and they really wanna meet yah!” Arctic was taken aback. Her friends wanted to meet him? He was a bit unsure, but he decided to go along with it. “Uh, alright. I’ll meet your friends Applebloom.” Said Arctic with a smile. “And you don’t have to call me ‘Mister Arctic’. Just call me Arctic. Or Arc.” “Alright!” Applebloom said with a wide smile. “What does this plan of yours, young mares?” Asked Glacious. “We can’t say right now. It’s a bit of a surprise.” Said Rarity. Glacious was a bit suspicious. She had a sinking feeling that this was all some sort of trick somehow, so she would keep on guard. “Very Well, young mares. Let’s go then.” Said Zecora with a small smile. “I still don’t trust them.” Muttered Tree Hugger, rubbing at the small scar on her left foreleg, given to her by Rarity. “Alright! Let’s go!” Shouted Applebloom excitedly as she bit down on Arctic’s pant leg and drag him off. The other’s just gave light hearted chuckles as they watched. Applejack also smiled. Seeing how close her little sister had grown to the creature made her smile and made her even more determined to properly apologize to him and the others. ==========**********========== As Arctic and Applebloom approached Ponyville, Arctic had picked up Applebloom and set her on his shoulders. Applebloom marveled at her newfound height, enjoying being up that high. As they got into Ponyville, much like last time, all of the ponies fled and hid. This upset Arctic, but hearing Applebloom’s happy giggling made him ignore that and follow Applebloom’s directions, looking for her friends. The ponies of Ponyville all peaked out of their windows. They could see Arctic running around with Applebloom on his shoulders. They all could hear Applebloom’s happy and cheerful yells. This did make them believe that maybe the creature was good if the small filly seemed to be having fun with it. Though, they still didn’t quite trust it yet. After searching all over, Applebloom directed Arctic to the Cutiemark Crusaders Clubhouse. Arctic was a bit amazed. He had never seen a treehouse before. So this was most interesting to him. “If they ain’t nowhere else, their probably here.” Applebloom said. Arctic nodded. After walking up to the door, Arctic set Applebloom down. Applebloom went in and once she did she was treated with a chorus of voices. “Applebloom! You’re back!” said one voice. “Where’ve you been? We’ve been looking everywhere for you.” Said another voice. “Yeah. When Twilight left, I went with Scootaloo and Sweetie to help look for you.” Said a different voice. “Well, y’all remember the friends ah told y’all about?” Asked Applebloom. “Yeah.” The three voice said in unison. “Well, ah was with them. And I brought one over to meet yah.” Applebloom said. “Cool! We get a meet a new pony!” Said one of the voices with excitement. “Well, he ain’t a pony though.” Said Applebloom. “He isn’t? Then what is he?” Said one voice. Applebloom, instead of answer, stuck her head out and waved for Arctic to come inside. As he did, he took in everything around him. The treehouse had a fairly cozy feel. It was also housing a few boards with multiple lists and pictures. It also held beanbag chairs and a bunch of apples. After taking those in, Arctic looked to the three others in the room asks sat down so Applebloom could get up onto his shoulders. “Crusaders, meet mah friend, Arctic. Arctic, these are mah friends, Scootaloo, Spike, and Sweetie Belle.” Applebloom said, pointing to the three. The three just stared at him. Scootaloo, while shocked seemed to be growing excited as she looked him up and down. Her wings began buzzing rapidly as her smile grew. Sweetie Belle was a different story. She was quite confused. She was a bit unease, sure, but she was mostly confused. She had never seen anything like him before, so her curiosity grew. Spike, was a bit scared. He remembered seeing Arctic, albeit under his cloak, but to see him in the flesh had him on edge. Arctic just looked at them. He could see their varying looks and was unsure how to feel. Though, when he saw spike, he perked up. He had heard of dragons from his mother but he had never seen them. Arctic always felt he could connect with dragons. Maybe because they were meat eaters like him or they were fighters like the saiyans, he didn’t know. So getting to see a dragon for the first time kinda excited him. “Woah. You’re so tall! And your hair looks so cool!” Said Scootaloo. “Er, well, not as cool as Rainbow Dash’s, but still cool! Woah! You have a scar too!?” Arctic was seriously taken aback by that. He didn’t expect the small Pegasus filly to take a liking to him. Or even find him cool. “Uh, thanks. Yeah, I got this scar a while ago.” Arctic said pointing to the scar on his shoulder that he got from one of Twilights attacks. “So cool!” Scootaloo said, examining the scar. “Um, what are you Mister?” Asked Sweetie Belle, her voice low and trembling showing she was on edge. “I’m a saiyan. An alien, I guess you could call me, since I’m not originally from here.” Arctic said. Scootaloo and Sweetie paused. They looked to Arctic with awe and shock. “An alien?” They said. Arctic just nodded. Scootaloo begun to celebrate, once again stating that he was cool. Sweetie was shocked, but much like Applebloom, her curiosity had begun to grow. Arctic looked over to Spike and gave a small smile. “You know, never thought I’d see a Drsgon in the flesh.” Arctic said. This caught Spike’s attention. Hearing the softness in his voice, Spike eased up slightly, but was still very much on edge. “R..re..really?” Stuttered Spike. “Yeah. My mother’s always told me about Dragons, but I’ve never seen them. You’re the first Dragon I’ve ever met.” Said Arctic, giving a gentle smile. Spike slightly smiled at that, glad to be the very first Dragon that Arctic ever met. “Well, to be honest, I’ve never met another Dragon before myself.” Said Spike in a soft voice. Arctic tilted his head a bit and gave a sympathetic look. “Do you ever feel lonely?” Arctic asked. This question gave Spike pause. He was unsure of what the question meant, but before he could respond, the others jumped in. “Why would spike ever be lonely? He’s got us!” Said Scootaloo. “Yeah! And he’s got Twilight and her family.” Said Applebloom. “Yup! And the others would never let Spike feel lonely.” Stated Sweetie. “Y..yeah. And then, Pinkie would never let me feel alone too.” Said Spike with a light chuckle. Arctic smiled. What he heard from them was sweet, but he understood that they didn’t quite get what he meant when he asked that. “That’s sweet, but I meant, do you ever get lonely being the only dragon around here?” Arctic asked. Spike paused again. Now knowing what Arctic meant, the question struck a cord with him. He had never truly thought about it. He had asked Twilight, her family, even Queen Celestia why he was the only dragon around, but never really got a good answer. They all kinda just, dodged the question. Spike remembered how lonely he felt. But being with his family and especially he sorta forgot about it. Old feelings slowly started to resurface till he felt something on his head. Looking up he saw Arctic with his claw sitting on his head. He had a small sympathy smile. “I get it.” Arctic said. “W..what do you mean?” Asked Spike. “Being the only of your kind in a place dominated by ponies. I’m sure even Zecora feels somewhat the same, being a zebra surrounded by ponies.” Arctic said. Spike’s eyes widened a bit. He understood? Spike, while he never really said anything about being the only dragon around since his earlier years in Canterlot, still, every now and then, felt a bit lonely being the only Dragon around. He did vaguely recall seeing ponies giving him strange looks when he was living in Canterlot, but he never really questioned it. At least not till now. He soon decided to talk to twilight about it. The girls had been silent the whole time. They never once thought about that. Spike really is the only Dragon around. They never figured he’s be lonely since he had a bunch of friends around him. But now, they were truly starting to understand somewhat. Just then, the three fillies jumped the poor dragon, hugging him tight and spewing incoherent sentences as they tried to comfort their friend. Arctic smiled as he watched. And then his happiness fell to unease as the three small fillies and Dragon looked to him. Before Arctic knew it the four had jumped, pinned him to the ground and hugged him tight. ==========**********=========== After about an hour or so, the five were going through Ponyville. Arctic was carrying Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo in his arms and Spike and Applebloom were on his shoulders. The five were all laughing and chatting like they were old friends. Spike, as he talked with them, could see ponies all hiding in their homes, staring at Arctic. Vague memories surfaced. Memories of ponies giving him roughly the same look. It made his heart ache. Soon, the five made it to Carousel Boutique. Arctic looked at the building in awe. He had never seen a place like this before. Sweetie Belle hopped down and opened the door, ushering them in. As the went in, Arctic let the others down and took in his newest surroundings. Multiple mannequin dawned multiple different dresses. Chests sat around full of different gems stones. Arctic could also see a changing room, a stage, and dozens of different kinds of fabrics. “Rarity! I’m home!” Shouted Sweetie Belle. The sounds of hooves striking the floor sounded through the house as Rarity came out. “Oh, hello Sweetie Belle.” Rarity said as the sisters went up to each other and hugged each other. Looking up, Rarity spotted Arctic. Applebloom, Scootaloo, and Spike were with him. “Oh my. Arctic, you’re here. And you came with my Applebloom and Scootaloo. And my little Spikey-Wikey.” Rarity said. Arctic chuckled as he watched Spike stare at Rarity, very clearly in love with the mare. “Yeah. We were walking around when Sweetie Belle asked to come here. I must say, I didn’t know you made clothes.” Said Arctic still glancing around. “Oh! Maybe Rarity could make you something.” Scootaloo said. “Yeah! Sis, could you make him something?” Asked Sweetie Belle. “Oh, well, I never thought about that. I suppose I could make something for him.” Rarity said. “Are you sure? I wouldn’t be able to pay for it.” Arctic said. “Oh, don’t worry about it Darling. It’ll be on the house.” Rarity said. The Crusaders all cheered and celebrated. Rarity smiled as she watched them all start chatting with Arctic. She too celebrated inside. She already had a design for his outfit she’d give him for her apology. And this would be her opportunity to get his measurements. After about an hour, Rarity had gotten his measurements and watched as the five drank some apple cider she had gotten. She deeply enjoyed seeing the four all happy spending time with Arctic. Her mind began to wonder as she started hoping Zecora, Glacious, and Tree Hugger were also having as good luck as Arctic was. Rarity jumped as she saw the Crusaders drag Arctic away. From what she could hear, they were taking him to Sweet Apple Acres. Rarity chuckled as she heard them quickly say bye and soon got to work on making the outfit she had in mind for Arctic.