//------------------------------// // Avoiding trouble // Story: Running With Draconaqui // by Tiaa OwO //------------------------------// It had been days since Spike had seen her. The mystery girl who had had triggered an unusual behavior from him. She was in Scootaloo, Applebloom, and Sweetie Belle's tree house that was dubbed the 'cutie mark crusader club house'. She ran into the Everfree Forest. She might be afraid of me . . . or shy . . . but that's not very likely, thought Spike, she IS a draconaquus after all. He played with his hay fries, not feeling very hungry. He was at a picnic with his six mane friends. Rarity noticed Spike's behavior. "Whatever is the matter, Spikey wikey?" she asked. "First, don't call me that. Second, uh . . . well . . . there's this-" Spike was cut off by Twilight, Applejack, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash's faces that found their way within three feet of his face. "There's this girl I met and . . . " "A girl!?" Twilight and Rarity exclaimed. Twilight, out of shock and Rarity out of excitement. "Oh my, is she an old friend of yours?" Fluttershy asked. "Or an ex fillyfriend?" Rainbow Dash added. Spike shook his head and sighed. "I met her a few days ago. She's scared of me, I think." "Well, Fluttershy could help her. Ponies tend to be scared of dragons, changelings, zebras . . . anything that they usually don't see every day. I'm sure your girl will come around." Twilight said. Spike's eyes shrunk. "What do you mean, 'your girl' exactly? She's not my fillyfriend. I just told you that I just met her." "Spike, dear, you seem to be a bit off about this girl." Rarity pointed out. Spike fought the urge to blush. He chuckled nervously and got up. "What's wrong Spike?" Fluttershy put a hoof on Spike's shoulder. Spike spread his wings. "Nothing. I just . . . wanna say hi to Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo." "Or do you want to see mystery girl?" Rainbow Dash teased. Spike felt the blood rush to his cheeks. "See ya later guys." ~ ~ ~ "A-are you g-guys sure?" Jasmine gazed down the cliff and flexed her right wing. It didn't hurt very much, just a dull throbbing. She didn't exactly know if it had healed properly or what, so she wasn't sure it was safe to fly with three fillies on her back. Applebloom nervously shook her head. Why did they have to go to White Tail Woods to fly on Jasmine's back!? "Aw c'mon, Applebloom! It will be so cool to have a 'flying a draconaquus' cutie mark!" Scootaloo fluttered her wings. "Ah don't know. . . " Applebloom said. Scootaloo laughed. "Are you scared?" "Of course she's scared!" Sweetie Belle scolded. "She's about to ride on somepony's back!" "Ahm not scared!" Jasmine sat on her haunches and let Applebloom climb on her back. Sweetie Belle felt just as queasy as Applebloom. "Lets go, Jasmine!" Jasmine spread her wings and thought one thing that probably would backfire on her. What could POSSIBLY go wrong? ~ ~ ~ Discord picked a blue flower and stuffed it in his saddlebag. It was a gift from Fluttershy and it was coming in handy. He chuckled. Boy was Luna in for a laugh today. So sad it would be at Celestia's expense, though. Discord wondered if he should play a prank with dear Pinkie Pie or Rainbow Dash. His stomach growled. "Maybe some lunch first . . . " Discord mumbled. He snapped his fingers and a whole plate of food appeared in front of him. ~ ~ ~ "Okay! Now that we've all gone on alone, lets all o together." Sweetie Belle suggested. "Totally!" Scootaloo agreed. Applebloom agreed. She wasn't feeling as queasy because all three fillies had gotten a ride without problems. None of the foals noticed that Jasmine was flinching as she tried to stretch her right wing. "Girls, I-I don't think w-we should f-fly." she said. The fillies turned to look at the draconaquus. "What? But we wanna ride together." Sweetie Belle whined. Applebloom nodded. "Ahm ready to fly again!" she exclaimed. "But . . ." "Can this at least be our last ride? Please? We promise." Scootaloo pleaded in attempt to make a compromise. "A-alright." Jasmine let the trio climb onto her back. She winced when one of them accidentally ruffled her wings. Just a quick flight, she thought. ~ ~ ~ There was a flash of light as Celestia and Luna teleported to Discord's self-picnic. They both had stern looks. "So, you were going to eat all this without me?" Luna said, her look giving way to a smile. "I only came here because you stole my cloud cake." Celestia grumbled. "I have duties to attend to." Discord grinned. "You need to get a stallion. You'll be lonely all your life. Well, more than you are now . . ." "I don't see you being surrounded by babes." Celestia growled. Discord looked up, suddenly. He had a surprised expression on his face. "Is that . . ?" He gaped. Luna and Celestia looked up too. "Whaaaa!?" They gasped. There was a draconaquus with three foals on its back. The draconaquus and two alicorns could not believe their eyes. Then, there was a sickening crack and a blood curdling scream that was followed by three smaller ones. The draconaquus started to fall, heading for the unforgiving ground. Discord spread his wings, as did the two alicorns, and flew as fast as he could. He did a short dive in order to catch the smaller draconaquus and the fillies. They were going too fast to stop so he curled into a ball and they tumbled into the ground. "Discord, are you okay?" Luna asked, landing next to him, along with her sister. He groaned and got up. "Peachy. I don't think she is, though." The fillies got up shakily and gasped. "Is she okay?" Scootaloo wondered. "Ah didn't know her wing was hurt!" Applebloom sobbed. "Her wing? Oh no! Its bent the wrong way . . ." Sweety Belle felt sick. Jasmine opened her eyes and groaned. A female draconaquus . . . this couldn't be the one the mad pony was talking about, Celestia thought to herself. "Smallish ponies?" Jasmine froze when she saw the three additional creatures. "Um . . ." "How did your wing get this way? How did you get here?" Discord demanded. "I . . . um . . . I . . . uh . . . " Jasmine let out a squeak and spread her wings. A wave of pain coursed through her body. "Ow . . ." she stood up. She was about to grab the fillies and run, but Luna stopped her. "Your hurt. Come with us." "Ya should go. Ma sister's friend, Twilight will come to bring us home." Applebloom said. Jasmine nodded slowly. Discord pointed to a castle not too far away. "C'mon. I'll carry you."