//------------------------------// // chapter: 2 // Story: Rapscallion // by monkeyXtypewriter //------------------------------// His first few steps as a new species were met with … mixed results. Drazen had indeed acquired a ponies mind, and thus instincts - like walking and diet, but going from a biped to quadruped in a matter of seconds usually had some repercussions. Namely in that he looked like a deer trying to stand for the first time. Speaking of which, Drazen finally had the opportunity to see what he looked like. Craning his head back, Drazen noted that he still retained his deep navy blue coloration. His mane was slightly longer on his new body and also the same dull white, shaggy mess. It was cut medium length; average for the males he’d seen. He was also slightly taller than most of the stallions he saw and without wings or horn. Drazen also noted the pair of markings on his flanks. It was a single white star encircled by a ring of white the same color as his mane. He was sure he’d seen the symbol before but couldn’t quite place it. He gave it little mind however. Drazen breathed in the chilly air and expelled it after a moment. The earthy smells from the forest seemed clearer, more pungent now. Whether or not that was thanks to his new form or simply taking a moments pause was debatable. He didn’t get moments like this often; It was usually missions with the other rangers or chilling at home with Frankie. Turning his attention over to his scythe, Drazen willed it into a blue and white checkered scarf with his magic and fit it snuggly around his neck. Nothing ruins first impressions like a pony casually holding a bladed weapon. He thought to himself With only a moments pause to breath in once again, Drazen set off towards the village. *** Not much had been accomplished in the few hours he’d been there. Aptly named Ponyville, the quiet village was actually much larger than Drazen had originally thought. He’d had been to the town hall first off, but all that resulted in was the disguised draconequus stumbling across an unplanned parenting workshop. The horrors he’d seen. The horrors. Scaring situations aside, Drazen was now on his way to the library after getting directions from the mare behind the reception desk. He had to find out Selker’s location, and what better way than visiting a place of knowledge he reasoned. Along the way, Drazen noticed that everypony else had markings on their butts as well. It put his mind at ease knowing that he wouldn’t stand out amongst the pastel colored populace. He saw ponies going about their days; chatting, shopping, playing, and all the stuff you’d expect of a happy community. Little ones scampered about playing this and that, and the marketplace was fairly busy as well. Another thing he noticed along the way was the amount of mares to stallions there were. If his mathimication was up to scratch, he’d say it was about a 5:1 ratio in favor of the females. He got more than a few sideways glances from the opposite sex along the way. So, Drazen being the suave stallion he was, decided upon a few suggestive eyebrow raises and ‘chicka-chows’, both eliciting giggles from the mares. While that did put him in a good mood, the weather was a big downer. It hadn’t really warmed up much since he’d entered the town proper. His breath was still visible in the air of the midday cold, and Drazen was relieved to have his weapon-turned scarf at least. He wasn’t viable to freeze to death with his fur, but he was definitely feeling it. Soon, Drazen arrived at his destination. He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t a little surprised. The mare he’d gotten directions from said the building down the main street was the library; she said nothing about it being a tree. Weirder still, the thing was actually alive if the leafy canopy was any indication. “I swear, if I knock and a hippie opens it, I’m runnin” he thought aloud. Unknown to anyone, Drazen was deathly afraid of hippies. It had begun when he was wee drake and his parents had left to lead the greener lifestyle. They took to the names ‘Coyote bongwater’ and ‘pokeyourhaunches’ before suddenly picking up and leaving for the commune, dumping a distraught Drazen on his aunty and uncle. To this day Drazen could not go near farmer's markets. Steeling himself, Drazen reluctantly rapt on the thick door a few times with his hoof. The noise easily carried beyond the portal to the sole occupant inside. Drazen heard somepony chirp “coming!” from within. A happy hippie...great. Then, much to his surprise – and relief – it wasn’t a hippie that opened the door, but a dragon. He (for it was indeed a he,) had purple scales and fins running down his back starting from head that were a lime green color. They ended in a stubby spade-like tail the same color as his scales sans the spikes. A set of small fangs could be seen if you looked close enough and the young drake was in his adolescence if his size was any indication. “Yeah I’ll have ah…a large fries and shake please” said Drazen seriously. The drake took to a bemused expression instantly. “oh, um… this is a library….” He replied confusedly. Works every time, Drazen happily thought to himself. “oh good, I thought I was in the wrong place there for a moment.” “but you-“ the drake shook his head, “nevermind. Oh-ah come in, twilight’s sleeping at the moment, so I can help you find whatever your after. I am her number one assistant after all,” he said with an edge of pride to his tone. Drazen couldn’t help but chuckle. Being part of the dragon family himself, he’d met a few dragons before. Most were just full of hot air, but there were a few that were okay. He stepped inside after brushing a few stray flakes of snow from his fur. Looking around, Drazen could see a fireplace in the corner of the lobby flickering away the cold with its combustion-y goodness. It warmed very well. Next he noticed the shelves. They looked like they were carved into the tree like little alcoves of knowledge. Each held an abundance of books bound in covers of varying sizes and colors, and the scent of dry paper carried heavily in the air. Also candle wax, there was a lot of that to. “ oh, cool, hey what’s your name kid?” Drazen asked conversationally while hanging up his scarf. “oh yeah! My names spike, nice to meet’cha mister. What’s your name?” spike asked, proffering a claw to shake. Drazen shook with a smile “Dr-“ he could have face-hooved at his stupidity just then. He hadn’t even given a pony name a thought. “Oh uh…” yeah I got squat “sorry kid, its classified” it wasn’t. He lied. Best not to arise suspicion. At least until I know where Selker is, then it doesn’t matter. Spike quirked an eyebrow before his face lit up, “oh are you with the government? Is it aliens?” he asked excitedly. Not one to miss such an opportunity, Drazen leaned in, motioning for spike to do the same. “I’ll let you in on the secret, but you gotta keep it under wraps okay?” he whispered conspiratorially, taking a pause for dramatic effect when spike nodded vigorously, “it’s aliens” Spike slowly leaned back, the smile growing ever larger. “I knew it” he exhaled. “But you gotta keep it a secret ok?” Drazen continued, “or bad things will happen. I’m talkin panic in the streets, rioting and mass discord here” Spikes’ nods turned to a look of fearful realization on the last thing mentioned, “so he’s behind it?! I just knew it!” he exclaimed. Drazen quirked an eyebrow, “who?” “Discord. He’s the spirit of chaos and disharmony and a total jerk.” Spike explained, “He ruled for ages and ages or something before the princesses sealed him in stone with the elements of harmony!” paydirt “hmmh, spike,” he said, rising to his full height, “I think we need more Intel on this discord character, can you do that soldier?” Drazen said in his best authoritative tone. Spike snapped to attention with a crisp salute and a “yes sir!” before charging head first into the task. Dedicated little scamp aint he? Drazen only paused momentarily to make sure his scarf was in sight before joining spike to look over the shelves. Together they made short work of searching, and soon a pile of 6 books sat next to one of the cushions in the reading area. Drazen plopped down into the seat; grabbing the topmost book, spike doing the same with the second. They shared a unanimous nod before flipping open both their books and beginning to read with fierce determination. *** Drazen was bored. While he’d gleaned quite a lot in the half hour of reading; Drazen’s inner slacker insisted the book was boring and that he take a break. He was more than willing to comply. They had been reading for the good part of an hour if the wall clock was correct. It set the monotone mood with its click-clicking - a boring reminder for the boring task at hoof. Truly. Twas’ boring. Drazen let a quiet sigh escape his lips. He never much cared for the book; his forte lied in sleeping in and two-minute noodles. How he got into the rangers – let alone the scythe squad – he’d never know. He didn’t even have any sway with friends of the family because…. Hippies. And his marks in school were terrible. He was the slacker in the back, and more often than not, the class clown. And yet, he managed to snag a job in the military. Who knew huh? He was brought out of his musings by a quiet yawn from spike. Turning his attention over to the young drake, Drazen amusedly noticed he’d completely dropped the whole ‘book covering comic book’ shtick he had going in favor of openly reading the graphic-novel. Drazen had to give him points for diligence though. He’d managed to hold off boredom for just slightly less than him. Drazen had to mask a chuckle with a cough when spike had begun inching towards where the comics where earlier. Sighing again, Drazen went back to reading. ‘studies suggest that the Draconequus race is immortal, and have been present on Equis for longer than recorded history. The race is believed to be extinct, as only a sole member remains. As such all-relevant data is based on observations pertaining to a single specimen and should be considered inconclusive. Attempts to rectify this have been met with sudden carrot-isation. The draconequus anatomy is largely reminiscent of a chimera. Its been theorized the mismatched appendices are a mechanism designed to attract a mate, but this is yet to be proven. Mating procedure on the other hoof is- This was when Drazen became aware of a presence behind him. He’d been so engrossed in reading that he’d only heard the rhythmic inhale-exhale of breathing just now. At first he though it was spike, but a sideways look over to where he was sitting revealed the young drake sleeping with a book over his face. Drazen turned his head, only to see a pair of lavender eyes not 2 inches away. The lavender mare they were connected to was looking straight at him. No, not at him, past him; to the book. She was literally reading over his shoulder. Drazen can honestly say he didn’t know what to make of this situation. “Uh…can I help you?” he said awkwardly. He was to confused to be annoyed. She blinked, like coming out of a daze and only noticing him just now. “oh, no. im good.” And just like that she was back to reading. Drazen muttered an “uh-huh” before scooting over a few paces, his heinie moving the cushion with him. There was a moments pause, punctuated by the tick of the second hand on the clock, where he thought she’d get the message. Apparently not. The lavender mare blinked again, seemingly lost in thought, before calmly trotting over to re-continue reading like nothing had happened. Drazen was about to skooch over again, but thought to rationalize with the mare. “hey, not to be rude or anything, but surely you have better things to do right?” he asked calmly. The situation was weird, but not worth getting peeved about. The mare reluctantly tore her eyes away from the script, “huh what…? Oh! Actually you’re right, I was doing something important wasn’t I?” She said, her face scrunched up in concentration. “hmm what was it?” she continued, “No. It wasn’t a report. I sent that yesterday. Hmm, I visited my friends…” she trailed off in thought with a contemplative scratch of her chin. She was really just thinking aloud now. Meanwhile, Drazen’s head slowly scrolled upwards to the black smoke overhead…