//------------------------------// // five // Story: Jump of the Iron Dragon // by tosety //------------------------------// It had been a while since I had to deal with friendly locals, and I had forgotten about how ill suited dragons are to ‘company’. I think I will need to limit my accessibility so I do not get tempted to do something rash. I was also getting nervous about my hoard. Maybe the unicorns can instruct me in some security measures for my new cave. Perhaps Alex? His sword shows some seriously cunning enchantments. No. I cannot put my life and wealth at his mercy. Flying back to my makeshift hollow, I contented myself that it was undisturbed, then flew to the mountain the cave supposedly was in. Just as they said, it was in the top third of the mountain and it would be perfect. The opening was reasonably long and only slightly larger than myself. The plateau at the mouth was small, with a winding path to one side and a nice steep drop-off for anyone proving to be dangerous. Well, almost anyone, since this world contains children of the wind. Inside was plenty of room for a hoard twice the size of my current stash and there was a little alcove where I could set up a little bed for... No, I need to keep some distance. These ponies have not accepted me yet and I am not sure if those humans will keep to their supposedly peaceful ways. It took me until about noon to move what I had into my new home. Having contented myself that it would be reasonably safe, I decided to see if there were any locals worth talking with. I just need to avoid that pink terror. As I approached the town, I saw a red pony watching me from the shade of an apple tree. He apparently saw that I had taken notice of him and gave a slight nod of greeting. It is always good when you find someone who shows no fear at your presence, so I landed nearby and he trotted over. “Name’s Big Macintosh, but you can call me Mac. I reckon you’re Tallic? Though Pinkie Pie seems to be calling you Metalicana.” Apparently, he noticed my flinch at the name of The Pink One. “Seems you’ve met her already. I’m guessing she’s a mite talkative for your tastes.” “You could say that.” I replied After several minutes of a nice, comfortable silence, the red stallion asked “Any plans to stay here?” “Yes, Twilight, Applejack, and Fluttershy recommended a nice cave in the mountain over there.” I pointed with my muzzle towards my new home. “You got food and any other necessities?” He added after a while. “Enough. Alex has offered tribute of iron as a peace offering.” He waited another few minutes before saying “If you have any need for money, I have some work around here. A bit of farm work and a few big things I’d love to get cleared, but can’t since they’re too heavy for a pony.” I thought for a while. Farming struck me as humiliating, but I would not be opposed to showing off my strength. “What would one of your ‘big things’ be?” “Well, there’s a boulder we’ve been tryin’ to move to expand the southeast cropland. Every year, we have a competition to see who can move it the furthest, but between everypony, we only get it a few yards each time. I’d be mighty grateful if ya could move it about a hundred yards to the south.” I snorted. “Show me this pebble and let me know if you would prefer it moved or obliterated.” Mac got up and trotted until a massive boulder was visible. I stared at it, gauging its size and weight. “You ponies can move that? I am impressed.” “Eeyup, we earth ponies are a mite stronger than the other tribes, though I bet the stronger unicorns might be able to levitate it some.” As I came within striking distance he added. “Keep it whole if ya can, would be a pain to find another one like it fer the contests.” I was able to move it if not easily, then at least with little trouble. The idea that a single pony could move this even a fraction of an inch gave me new respect for these ‘earth ponies’. “Do ya want yer bits now, or would ya like ta pick ‘em up in the morning?” He asked as I finished moving it to the edge of the clearing. “If, by ‘bits’ you mean my pay, I would be perfectly content to pick it up in the morning. Where would you like me to meet you?” “That red barn up on the hill is our home, but we’ll be working this field at just after sunrise.” He motioned to the roof of a barn sticking up above the treeline. “Oh, and Pinkie wanted me to ask you about the tastes of various metals and ores. I think she wants to make you some dragon cupcakes. Didn’t seem like the time to ask today, but figured I’d warn you since she’s prob’ly asked others as well.” “Thank you” I said as I flew off to check in on Steelskin. Well, the adults were caught up in their own conversations, so after getting a little breakfast, we wandered off. I made sure to eat some hay patties since mom let me learn the hard way that sugary stuff like milkshakes made you feel sick if you didn’t get something real in your stomach. Scootaloo wanted us to go the the Crusader clubhouse and Rocky was excited to, so I went along. “Here we are!” Scootaloo all but yelled. She quickly showed us around, offering us some of the food they had stashed. “Am I too young to join?” Rocky asked. “Of course not! I’m sure Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Sapphire would love for us to have another member... and Steel, you could join too since you got yours so early, you might be able to sh...” A look of horror and fear came over her “I’m so sorry... I completely forgot...” I sat there, trying not to cry. “It’s okay, I know you didn’t mean it... I’d like to help, but... I’ll... I’ll think about it.” I was blinking back tears and trying to act cool with it, but was pretty sure I was failing big time. “Only if you’re okay with it...” Scootaloo whispered with a tear in her eye. “Hey, how about we explore Whitetail Wood?” Rocky suggested. Both of us quickly agreed, glad of the change in conversation. We mostly just talked as we trotted through the woods. Scootaloo was talking about her flying lessons with her mom, Rocky was talking about hoofball practice, but I couldn’t really pay too good attention, I was too worried about whether Tallic would come back for me or not. The worst part was that I loved playing hoofball and would’ve loved to talk with him about it. Trotting along, I fell behind the others, stuck stewing in all my pain. I winged my way over the town, taking note of the diverse buildings. I would assume the giant gingerbread house would be Sugarcube corner. I took note of the blacksmith and hospital. The latter due to the likelihood that the knight was still recuperating there. Should I pay him a visit? No, I doubt that would be wise, I thought to myself, pushing back my less than intelligent urges. I continued to fly, watching the poor ponies scatter in fright, with only a few brave souls watching my progress. Yet another perverse pleasure of mine was watching stupid people, or in this case, ponies, run away in fear. I am mean and stupid for giving in and doing this, but sometimes, when I deny one urge, my other instincts get the best of me. I smelled the unusual scent of Emerald again. There was something wrong about it, like it belonged to too many creatures. As I approached the western end of the town, I caught the scent of Steelskin and his friends and followed it into a much healthier forest than the one I landed in. I zeroed in on their scent, but as they came into sight, there was something seriously wrong. The scent changed to fear and blood. I walked, looking at Rocky and Scootaloo’s flanks as they trotted in front of me. Stupid cutie mark, why do I have to have this constant reminder of my parents leaving me all on my own. A tear escaped my eye and I quickly wiped it away. I don’t want my friends thinking I’m a crybaby. Where could Tallic be? It’s kinda funny, but even though he’s a big, scary dragon, I feel safe around him like nopony else. I heard a cracking sound up ahead. I looked up to see a pine tree leaning over the road up ahead and everything slowed to a crawl. Rocky and Scootaloo were stepping forward right under the tree as the trunk started to splinter and crack. As the tree broke free of it’s stump and started it’s fall, the two of them looked up and saw it for the first time. Instead of running, they froze in place, panicking at the sight of the monster coming towards them. No! I can’t let them die, that tree will crush them like they were nothing. I galloped forwards, painfully slowly, while the tree picked up speed. Scootaloo and Rocky stared at the tree hurtling at them with every muscle in their body locked up in panic. I’m not gonna make it. As the first branches brushed their noses, they woke up and started to move, but they didn’t have enough time. I put on a last burst of speed, my muscles screaming, and planted my forehooves on each of their flanks to give them an extra push. The last things I remembered was a branch spearing me in the side with white-hot pain, a heavy weight, and the feel of several bones snapping. I could see that they both made it and gave a weak smile. I’m so glad they didn’t get hurt. Everything faded away as two foals yelled my name. As I approached, the smells grew stronger and my eyes could make out a fallen tree with two foals braying with a terror and anguish that could not be described. I recognized the brown coat of Rocky and the orange of Scootaloo. My mind snapped into focus as my imagination filled in what could not be seen among the branches of the fallen tree. I adjusted my flight to bring me around to the same side of the tree they were on and saw the colt lying in a pool of blood. Steelskin was a mess, the trunk was completely covering his rear legs and there was a limb impaling his side. “I cannot move the tree until we have a medical professional here, Scootaloo, fly back and get a doctor as quickly as you can. Make sure they bring plenty of bandages, tourniquets, and splints.” She broke free from her panic quickly and I watched her fly away. While I could tell she was flying with all her might, there was no way she would get to town in time. I weighed my options, looking back and forth between Rocky and the departing Scootaloo. “Do not let Steelskin move if he wakes up, but tell him Scootaloo and I have gone for help and shall return as soon as we are able.” I instructed Rocky before taking off, greatly outdistancing the pegasus filly as I shot towards the hospital. There was just room enough for me to land in front of the hospital, and I was in luck. There was a pony with a nurse’s hat walking out of the front doors. “Steelskin has been hurt!” I yelled as I landed on the street. “I need your help, Steelskin has been crushed by a tree and I need you to bring tourniquets, splints, and multiple bandages.” The stupid herbivore went wide-eyed in panic and bolted back inside the hospital. Oh, no, no one will be escaping this time. I thought as desperation overwhelmed me. I was not about to let the only medical person I could reach get away from me. As I stuck my foreleg in, I reduced the door to splinters and knocked the frame from the wall, but my claws just missed her fleeing form. I looked through a window and spotted a stallion in a lab coat huddled in the corner. I grabbed him instead and dragged him out. "You! You are a physician?" He only stared at me, slack jawed. I pulled him closer, "I said, are you a healer?" He continued to tremble, mouth agape. "Are you a fewmet eating doctor?" I roared. That seemed to snap him out of his stupor, but he was still terrified. Good. He will fear me and save my son... the colt, I mean. "Y-Yes, sir. I'm Doctor Pulse. W-What seems to be the nature of the medical emergency?" I bellowed, "There is a child who is bleeding to death right now! He has a tree branch piercing his side and his back legs are beneath the trunk. You will gather all the supplies you need and I will carry you to where he is. You will do this now and we will leave in no more than one minute." The ponies all stood around, seemingly shocked. I heard a tiny voice behind me. "Mr Dragon? Are you getting help for Steelskin? I'm sorry I was so slow." The rage drained from my heart. This frail creature was asking my forgiveness when she performed heroically. For the first time in a very long time, I faltered. After a moment, I turned back, and I pleaded despite myself. "I... have overstepped. Please, there is a child who is dying as we speak. He needs your help. Help that I cannot give." I bowed my head. Me, bowing my head to such as these. My dignity demanded I simply took what I wanted, but I could not. And I did not understand why. “Tallic! What are you doing?” Twilight’s voice asked from behind me. I barely restrained myself from screaming my rage at her, and instead I calmed my emotions and replied “Steelskin has been crushed by a tree. I need help from someone his size.” “You two go ahead and get him stabilized, I’ll get things prepared here.” The stallion ordered, recovering completely from his fright. Twilight levitated the nurse onto my back and teleported herself up. “Let’s fly.” She said as she braced for takeoff. Just at that moment, the knight came limping around the corner. Is he really healed enough after what I did to him to be walking around less than twenty-four hours later? Wonderful! I have wasted too much time already. I brought my tail around and caught him in the side, slamming him into a wall. Hopefully, that will buy me the time to get away. I took off as fast as I dared with the two balancing on my back. their hooves did not grip as much as Steelskin’s, but they held well enough that I did not have to sacrifice my speed as I flew towards the wood. I assumed the indignant tone of Twilight Sparkle’s voice was her berating me for what I did to the knight., Thankfully, the wind was too loud for me to hear. I passed the orange filly as she was entering the town. I felt a twinge of pity as I saw how exhausted she was in her flight. “I have Twilight and a nurse, gather anyone you can think of at the hospital and be ready for our arrival.” I called to her. Once we were in sight, Twilight teleported herself to the tree. As I landed, she ran up to us. “He has two ribs that are worryingly close to his lungs, but his spine is completely undamaged and that branch missed all his internal organs. I’m mostly worried about blood loss. It looks like he’s already lost a lot, and when this tree comes off, he’ll lose a lot more. I just don’t know how we’re going to get that tree off him without making things a whole lot worse” The nurse came to her senses “Twilight, haven’t you reshaped tree limbs before? I know I’ve seen Rarity do it. Couldn’t you separate the branches that have punctured the skin?” “Thank you.” She replied with a look of amazed understanding. Her horn glowed with a purple aura and the branches disconnected themselves from the trunk. Once I saw that it was safe, I picked up the tree and hurled it away from the path. I was slightly relieved by the fact that his torso was intact, but it was obvious that his two hind legs were crushed and the puncture wound was horrifying. If this were a mount, there would be no question that it should be put down. I could only hope that this would not be the case here. I noticed his friend being violently ill at the sight and quietly went over to comfort him. Scootalo saw Tallic fly past her. Within minutes, her wings were burning and her eyes were watering from pain and failure. She was fustrated by the tormenting image of her scooter sitting next to her front steps, but he mom told her to stop relying on it and get her wings practice with lift. Talic passed her coming back and told her to help at the hospital, filling her with a fresh wave of uselessness. Only halfway there, she was so exhausted that all her focus went to continuing her flight. After a while, her house came into view and she decided to grab her scooter. As she swooped down to grab it, she realized she was coming in too fast. She tried to backstroke with her wings just before crashing into the railing of her steps. Dash came galloping out. “Scoots, what’s wrong?” “Ow,” She rubbed her wing for a second before remembering why she was there. “Mom, Steelskin’s been crushed by a tree! Twi and Nurse Redheart are going to help, and he wants me to gather everyone at the hospital!” She winced as her adoptive mother jostled her wing while hoisting Scootaloo to her back and taking off.