Facing Fluttershy’s Fears
Another day has dawned, Nova and Starburst were out in Ponyville park enjoying the day as other ponies went about having fun or just relaxing. The two were curiosly eyeing something Pinkie recommended they get for when they were at the park. “Nova, any idea what it is?” Starburst asked.
“Pinkie called it a kite….I think.” They just looked at it, they managed to assemble it using the directions it came with, but weren’t sure where to go from there.
“What does it do?”
“Well, from the design, it looks like it can fly, but I’m not sure how you’re supposed to get it up in the air.”
“What about the strings attached to it?”
“I think those are to hold onto it.” Nova levitated it up in front of him to look at it better. “Hmm, maybe…..aha, maybe if I hold it up and give it a toss into the air, then you have to try and run with it so it catches the wind while holding onto the plastic part at the end.”
“You think that will work?”
“I don’t see any other way to do it, let’s give it a try.”
“Ok, if you say so Nova.” Starburst picked up the plastic handle for the kite with his magic.
Nova kept the kite in his magic grasp while Starburst got a few paces away. “Ok, when I give the signal, you start running and keep going until the kite starts flying on its own!”
“Got it! Starburst answered.
“Ok, ready…..GO!” Nova called as he tossed the kite up with his magic.
Starburst started running at a good pace. The kite caught the wind and flew up and was now floating on its own power. “We did it Nova!” Starburst yelled to his brother.
“Way to go Starburst, you got it!” Nova cheered as he came up to Starburst.
“Hey, this is kinda neat, I like this Nova. You wanna try?”
“In a little bit Starburst, you enjoy it for now.” Nova just stayed by his brothers side as he flew the kite around.
As the two enjoyed their moment, dark clouds started rolling in. the two saw this as they flew the kite, Starburst was the first to say something. “Nova, are those storm clouds?” Starburst asked with worry.
“I don’t think so, but we better bring the kite down.” Starburst did as he said and managed to roll the kite in.
Starburst was holding the kite in his magic grasp as he looked to his brother. “Should we head back home for shelter?”
Before Nova could answer, they saw Fluttershy running around in a bit of a panic trying to get every ponies attention. “Help….help, there’s a horrible cloud of smoke.”
“Smoke?” Nova and starburst said together, they went up to Fluttershy to ask her what was going on, Nova started. “Fluttershy, did you say smoke?”
“Oh, yes, there’s a horrible cloud of smoke covering Ponyville and….GAH!”
“WHOA!” Fluttershy shrieked and Nova and Starburst jumped when Rainbow Dash zipped in out of nowhere bouncing a ball on her head.
“Don’t be such scaredy ponies, it’s just me, future Equestria ball bouncing record holder. 226, 227…”
Pinkie then came up and cheered. “This calls for a celebration!”
“No Pinkie Pie, this is no time for a celebration, this is a time for panic, for….” Fluttershy tried to tell her, but Pinkie wasn’t listening.
“Ooh, I’m gonna need balloons, one for every pony in Ponyville.” Pinkie started hopping off while Fluttershy followed to try and talk to her. Nova and Starburst followed.
“But there’s smoke, and where there’s smoke there’s fire and…”
Pinkie suddenly stopped and Fluttershy ran right into her. “Let’s see, 1 2 3 4 5 6.” Pinkie counted.
Nova decided to intercede. Fluttershy was obviously trying to warn them but no pony was listening. “Pinkie, Rainbow, listen up!”
Rainbow Dash dropped the ball. “Uh, Nova, you made me mess up, now I have to start all over.”
“Well in case you hadn’t noticed, Fluttershy was TRYING to point out that cloud of smoke overhead.” Nova said as he pointed to it.
The girls then looked up and saw it. “Whoa, how did we miss that?” Pinkie asked.
Suddenly, Twilight’s voice rang out. “LISTEN UP!” This got the other ponies attention in the park. Twilight was standing on the bridge to the park with Spike on her back. “Smoke is spreading over all of Equestria!” The ponies finally looked up and noticed it. Twilight continued. “But not to worry, I just received a letter from princess Celestia that it’s not coming from a fire.”
The crowd sighed in relief.
“Oh, good.” Fluttershy said in relief.
“Whew, that’s good.” Nova agreed.
“So then, what is it coming from?” Starburst asked out loud to Twilight.
Twilight continued. “It’s coming from a dragon.”
The ponies then panicked a bit more. “A…a d-d-dragon?” Fluttershy stuttered in fear.
“That’s not good.” Nova said.
“Nova, what is it?” Starburst asked in fear.
“I remember reading about them in the books I borrowed from Twilight, the adult ones aren’t very friendly.” Nova trotted up to Twilight with Starburst close behind. Once in front of Twilight, Starburst set the kite down next to him. “So Twilight, what is the princess going to do about this?”
“She asked me and my friends specifically to handle it. We’re going to try to convince him to leave.”
“Well, good luck with that.”
“You’re coming too Nova.”
“WHAT!?” Nova was surprised by this. Starburst looked up to Nova with worry. “Twilight, I can’t go, I don’t know anything about dragons, besides, I can’t leave my little brother alone. And why do you want me to come anyway?”
Twilight gave a smile as she answered. “Because she asked for you too, you are one of my friends aren’t you?”
“Well, yes….but why would Celestia ask me to help with this? And there is still the issue of Starburst, I can’t leave him alone, but I’m not about to take him with us to face a dragon.”
“Spike can watch him.” Spike then hopped down off Twilight’s back.
He came up next to them and put a claw on Starburst’s back. “Don’t worry Nova, I’ll take good care of Starburst.”
“Nova?” Starburst said worriedly.
Nova looked down at Starburst. He then looked back at Twilight. “Twilight, are you sure Spike can take care of Starburst, their practically the same age.”
Twilight answered. “Of course he can, he’s actually a little more mature for his age, besides, he is a big help around the library.”
“And Celestia asked for each of your friends by name to help with this, me included?”
“Yes, she did. I have been telling her about the lessons I’ve learned about friendship and I mentioned you a few times, you were the one that taught me a lesson or two in friendship after all. So it’s only natural that Celestia would want you and my friends to help me with this.”
Nova sighed. “All right, I guess since this is an order from the princess, I don’t really have much of a choice. I’ll help.”
“Thank you Nova, meet me back at my library in one hour with supplies, I’ll get the others together as well.”
“Ok, come on Starburst.”
Starburst picked the kite back up and the two headed for home. All the while with a worried expression on his face.
Back at their home, Nova was packing some food and water for the trip in his saddlebags. Starburst spoke with worry in his voice. “Nova, are you sure about this, I mean….can’t I come with you, I promise to behave.”
“I’m sorry Starburst, but this could be dangerous, and as I said before, I’m not about to take you with me into a dangerous situation. You’ll just have to stay with Spike while I’m gone.”
“But….we’ve never been apart before, I don’t want you to go.”
Nova stopped his packing and looked at Starburst with sad eyes. He came up and picked up Starburst in a hug. “I know we’ve never been apart before, but now that we’ve found a place to call home, there’s going to be situations like this where we can’t be together all the time. I know this may be hard for you, but this is hard for me too. I don’t want to leave you alone either.”
Starburst pushed himself away from Nova’s chest and looked up at him. “Then just don’t go, why should you follow the orders of some princess we don’t know all that well?”
“Starburst, the girls could use my help, if I don’t go, I wouldn’t be a very good friend here, besides, this dragon is a problem for every pony. Now come on, let’s head over to Twilight’s.” Nova set his brother down, placed his saddle bags on his back and the two left for Twilight’s.
Once they arrived, they saw the girls lined up, waiting for him. Nova just took his place in line and Starburst got next to him. Twilight started pacing in front of them as she gave a speech. “All right girls, and Nova, listen up. I’m mapping out the fastest route up the mountain, so we need to keep a good pace if we expect to make it up the mountain by nightfall.”
Fluttershy was on the other side of Nova, he heard her shutter. “M-m-mountain?”
“The dragon is in that cave at the very top.” Twilight pointed at the mountain the smoke was coming from.
“Looks pretty cold up there.” Applejack commented.
Rainbow confirmed. “You bet it is, the higher you go, the chillier it gets.”
“Good thing I brought my scarf.” Rarity then reached into her saddle bag and pulled out a pink and white scarf and wrapped it around her kneck.
“Ooh, pretty.” Pinkie complimented.
Rainbow Dash just snickered. “Oh yeah, that will keep you warm.” She said sarcastically.
Nova saw Fluttershy look at the mountain and cringe a little. “Fluttershy, are you okay?” Nova asked with sympathy.
“Um….I’m fine, excuse me.” Fluttershy then walked up to Twilight as she was going over a map.
Nova turned to Starburst. “Starburst, I want you to be good for Spike, listen to what he says and behave yourself while I’m gone.”
Starburst was looking like he was about to cry. “Nova, do you really have to go?”
Nova smiled at Starburst. He took him in a hug again. “Don’t worry, you’ll be fine, I promise I’ll come back as soon as I can. Just stay here and be good ok?”
A small tear ran down Starburst’s cheek. “Ok, please hurry back.”
“Count on it.” They looked at each other with a sad smile. Nova set Starburst down and went to rejoin the others. He did so just in time to hear Fluttershy say something odd.
“Oh good, I’ll stay here and…”
Twilight cut her off. “Wait, you have to come, your way with wild animals will surely come in handy.” Twilight put the map back in her saddle bags.
“Oh, I don’t think I….”
Twilight cut her off again. “Oh, and don’t worry about your animal friends in the meadow, Spikes got it all covered while you’re gone.”
Spike stood proudly next to Fluttershy with some animals on him. “You can count on me.” Suddenly, Angel Bunny got on his head and pounded his foot on Spike’s head repeatedly, scaring off the animals. “Hey, come back here!”
This was not very reassuring to Nova. Fluttershy commented. “Oh, I don’t know if he’s up to the task.”
Nova then stepped in to agree. “Twilight, after what I just saw, are you absolutely sure Spike can watch a bunch of animals AND take care of Starburst?”
“Don’t worry Nova, Starburst will be fine, I promise.” Twilight assured with a smile.
“Ok, I’m trusting your word here, and Spike with the wellbeing of my little brother.”
Rainbow then flew up to Twilight. “Are you sure you want to bring Fluttershy along, I mean, that pony is afraid of her own shadow. She’s just going to slow us down.”
“Oh, she’s just a little nervous, I’m sure once we get going, she’ll be just fine.”
Fluttershy suddenly squeaked out “YAH!” Nova, Twilight, and Rainbow turned to see Fluttershy looking at her own shadow in fear, then jump into a bush, only her eyes were seen looking around.
Nova went over to her to check on her. “Fluttershy, are you sure you’re ok?”
Fluttershy came out of the bush. “Well, actually, I…”
Twilight’s voice called out again. “All right every pony, let’s move out!”
The girls then started galloping away in a cloud of dust and picked up Fluttershy, she screamed as she was carried off. Nova started galloping to catch up and called back to Starburst as he did. “Bye Starburst, remember what I said, I’ll be back soon!”
Starburst waved his hoof goodbye as he sat on his haunches and called back. “Bye Nova, please be careful!” His face was meloncoly the whole time.
Spike came up to him and placed a claw on his shoulder. “Hey, don’t worry Starburst, he’ll be fine, he’s a big stallion.”
“I kknow Spike, it’s just that….this is the first time we’ve been apart like this, I don’t know what I’d do without him.”
“Come on, let’s go inside and have some ice cream.”
Starburst gave a weak smile at this. “Sounds good I guess.” Starburst followed Spike into the library.
Back with Nova and the girls, they were now standing at the base of the mountain. A loud rumble sounded as a large puff of smoke joined the rest of the smog in the air. Fluttershy hid behind Applejack. “Whoa, what was that?” Rainbow asked.
Twilight informed. “That is what it sounds like when a dragon snores.”
Fluttershy peeked up at the mountain from behind Applejack. “It’s so…so….high.”
Rainbow flew into Fluttershy’s field of vision. “Well it IS a mountain. I’m gonna fly up there and check it out.”
Rainbow was about to take off, but Applejack grabbed her by the tail and pulled her back down. “Hold on now, I think we should stick together, safety in numbers and all that.”
Rainbow wasn’t pleased as she crossed her forelegs and narrowed her eyes. “Oh all right.”
The group then started their climb up with Rainbow just flying along with the same displeased look. “I hear the only thing that sparkles more than a dragon’s scales, are the jewels they use to build their nest.” Rarity commented. “Ooh, if I play my cards right, I might be able to convince him to part with a few.”
Nova couldn’t believe Rarity was thinking of jewels at a time like this. Pinkie decided to joke around. She spoke in her best dragon impression. “Welcome to my cave Rarity, care for a nice jewel, RAWR.” This set the others off laughing, except for Nova and Twilight.
Twilight started. “Girls, this is no laughing matter.”
Nova came in as well. “She’s right you know, in case you forgot, we’re supposed to deal with a DRAGON here.”
“Fluttershy, you’re the expert on wild creatures, what do you think the dragon will be like.” After no response was given, the girls looked around to see she wasn’t with them. “Fluttershy?”
They looked down to see her hiding in a bush at the base of the mountain. “Hey, what are ya waiting for, a written invitation!” Rainbow called out.
Pinkie got excited about this. “Ooh, I think I have one in my bag.” She then reached in and pulled it out, causing an explosion of confetti. It startled rainbow and she just glared at Pinkie.
Fluttershy was looking at the mountain with fear as she shook. “It’s so….so…..steep.”
Rainbow was looking annoyed at this point. “Well it IS a cliff, you could just, oh I don’t know, FLY up here.”
Nova could tell Fluttershy was scared about something and Rainbow was being insensitive about it. “Rainbow Dash, do you think you could be a little more sensitive, she’s obviously scared about something.”
Rainbow Dash just blew him off. “Whatever.”
Pinkie tried to encourage her. “Come on, you can do it. Just flap those wings.”
Fluttershy came out from behind the bush. “Oh….ok.” She closed her eyes and started to fly up. She smiled as she looked up when she accomplished this. But then, the dragon let out another loud snore and a puff of smoke. Fluttershy’s confident look turned to one of horror, her wings quickly folded back up and she fell onto he bush.
Rainvow face hoofed and grunted.
Fluttershy struggled to get her wings back out, but they wouldn’t budge.
Twilight was starting to seem annoyed too. “Ugh, we don’t have time for this.” Applejack grabbed Twilight’s map out of her saddlebag and looked it over. “What are you doing?”
“I’ll need this if’n I’m gonna take her around the mountain another way.”
Rainbow grunted in annoyance again. “Uuhhhh, around the mountain, that will take them forever.”
Nova figured he could help. “I’ll go with them, maybe the two of us can make it a little easier.” The two slid back down to Fluttershy.
“Thank ya kindly Nova, appreciate it.” The dragon let out another snore and Fluttershy fainted, her legs sticking straight up. “Looks like I’m gonna need it. Don’t worry Twi, we’ll be there lickity split.”
The two looked at Fluttershy as she was fainted. “I can just carry her on my back and you lead the way.” Nova levitated Fluttershy’s form up and placed her legs so they would be dangling off his sides.
“Ya sure you got her?” Applejack asked.
“No sweat.” Applejack started walking and led the way.
“So Nova, how you likin Ponyville so far?”
“It’s a nice place, I’m glad we ended up here.”
“Where ya from anyway? If’n ya don’t mind me askin.”
“We’re not from anywhere really, we did a lot of traveling, never had a steady place to call home.”
“That musta been hard, and it’s just been you and yer brother for a long time?”
“Yeah, I’ve been taking care of him most of his life so far.”
“You know, I got a little sister too, bet she and Starburst would get along great, she’s about the same age as your brother.”
“That’s good, I don’t know if those other two little unicorns we met would be good friends for Starburst.”
“You mean Snips and Snails?”
“Yeah, they don’t’ seem all that….umm.”
“Bright?”
“Yeah, I don’t mean to sound rude.”
“I understand, how ya holdin up there partner?”
“I’m doing fine, Fluttershy isn’t as heavy as I thought she’d be.” The two continued on with casual conversation as they walked.
After about an hour or two, they finally made it to where the others were waiting. Applejack was a little out of breath, but not as much as Nova. “We made it.” Applejack declared.
“Huh….huh….by the stars that took longer than I thought.” Nova accidentally said out loud.
“Stars?” Applejack asked.
The girls were all now looking at him curiously. Nova was getting nervous. “Uh….um…..”
Thankfully, Fluttershy provided a distraction as she woke up from her fainting spell. “Oh..oh my, Nova?” She quickly jumped off his back. “I’m sorry you had to carry me, I hope I wasn’t too heavy for you.”
Nova gave a smile. “Not at all. You were fine.”
“Oh…good.”
“So, shall we continue?” Nova asked in hopes the others would forget his comment. Fortunately for him, it worked.
“All right then, let’s move out.” Twilight said. The group continued on.
After a while, they came to a part in the route they were taking where they had to jump over a gap. Rainbow jumped across first, followed by Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, then Pinkie Pie. Nova stayed when he saw Fluttershy was cringing again. “Fluttershy, are you ok?”
“Your turn Fluttershy.” Twilight said.
Fluttershy was now clutching on to a rock. “It’s so…so…wide.”
“Come on Fluttershy, we should be much further along by now.”
Nova just looked at the others. “Will you girls be a little more sensitive, can’t you see she’s scared?” Twilight recoiled a bit. Nova softened his look. “I realize this is important, but it isn’t very considerate of you to be rushing some pony when they’re having trouble with something.” Twilight seemed to cringe a little as she looked regretful. He then looked to Fluttershy. “Fluttershy, why don’t you get on my back again and I’ll jump us across.”
Fluttershy looked at Nova. “Really, are you sure?” Nova just gave a nod. “Well, ok then.”
Nova kneeled down for Fluttershy to climb on. She did so and wrapped her forelegs around Nova’s kneck. “Just hold on, I’ll get us across no problem.” Nova walked up to the gap, and just jumped across. “There we go, nothing to it.” He said with a smile. Fluttershy smiled back.
She got off his. “Thank you for helping me across Nova.”
“Your welcome.”
Twilight then came up to her. “Fluttershy, I’m sorry for not being sensitive to your feelings, I should have seen you were scared.”
“It’s fine Twilight.” The group continued on.
They soon reached another area of the mountain. “We need to be real quiet here, the slightest noise could cause an avalanche.”
Fluttershy cringed some more. “An av….ava…”
Twilight interrupted. “Shh.” The group then quietly made their way through.
Rainbow was flying over the group, she flew through a low hanging branch and knocked some leaves loose, two of them landed right on Fluttershy’s flank as she walked under it. It startled her and she cried out. “AVALA…!”
Applejack stuck a hoof in her mouth before she could finish. The girls thought they were safe, but a rumbling started, a few rocks were seen starting to fall. Nova saw this and decided to act quickly. “EVERY PONY, GATHER AROUND ME NOW!” He called out. They complied and huddled around him. Nova put up a shield around them.
The rocks came crasing down around them. The girls looked around them at the rocks in fear. Nova was struggling a bit to keep his shield up, he grunted a bit whenever a big rock landed on the shield. They were starting to get buried in the rocks as they continued to fall, but Nova didn’t let up.
The avalanche finally ended, but they were buried by the rocks, Nova’s shield dome keeping the rocks at bay. “How are we supposed to get out?” Rainbow asked.
Nova grunted and strained to expand his shield to force the rocks away, he succeeded and sent them flying off. He panted a bit, the girls cheered. Nova was panting heavily when he looked up and noticed his antennae were visible. “GAH!” He cried out. He quickly covered them with his foreleg.
“Nova, you saved us, thank you so much!” Twilight said. She then noticed what he was doing. “Oh my gosh, are you ok, you didn’t get hit in the head did you?” She asked with worry.
Nova was sweating nervously. “Huh, Oh no no no, I’m fine, really, just…uh……” He thought fast, the only thing that came to mind was kind of a cheap trick, put it would have to do. “HEY, what’s that over there?” He pointed behind the girls with his other hoof.
“Where?” Pinkie asked as the girls looked away.
Nova took this chance and focused his magic, he managed to re-disguise his antennae back into a horn. He then removed his foreleg from his forehead. “I don’t see nothin.” Said Applejack as the others looked back.
“Oh well must have just missed it. That was a close one though huh?”
“I’ll say, you really saved us there Nova.” Pinkie said with a smile.
“Yes, thank you so much Nova.” Rarity smiled.
Nova smiled back, feeling a little more relaxed the girls didn’t notice anything. “You’re welcome. Now that that’s over, let’s get going shall we.”
“Good idea.” Twilight agreed. They all turned to continue on, but then noticed the avalanche left a large pile of rocks in their way.
Fluttershy frowned “Sorry.”
Applejack gave a sympathetic smile. “oh, no big whoop sugar cube.”
Twilight agreed. “Yeah, we’ll just have to…” Twilight then sounded less sure of herself. “Climb over it.”
The goup then started climbing over while Rainbow just flew overhead. They made it over and started walking down. Nova was behind Fluttershy, she slipped and started sliding down and slammed into Rarity, then Applejack. Rainbow Dash came to try and help Rarity up. “My apologies.” Rarity said.
Rainbow Dash glared at Fluttershy. “Not your fault.” Nova glared at Dash. Nova knew it was an accident and Dash was acting like she might have done it on purpose.
The group continued on. Nova was walking just behind Twilight now, Dash came up to Twilight and whispered in her ear, it was still loud enough he could hear it. “Still think it was a good idea to bring Fluttershy along.”
Twilight answered back. “We’re about to find out. We’re here.” The ponies were all now standing before the cave the dragon was in. Twilight started giving orders. “Rainbow Dash, you use your wings to clear the clouds.”
“Mhm.” Rainbow nodded.
“Rarity and Pinkie Pie, you’ll create a distraction in case things get a little hairy.”
Pinkie then took out a rubber chicken and started swinging it around. Rarity just looked at her confused.
“Applejack, you be ready with the apples in case the dragon decides to attack.”
Applejack smiled. She took out two apples from her bags, tossed them up and bucked them at a tree.
“Nova, since you were able to shield us from the rock slide, you can act as our defense.”
“I’ll do my best.” Nova said unassuredly. He had never gone up against a dragon before, so he didn’t know if he could hold off the fire it would breath out.
“But it shouldn’t come to that, because Fluttershy will do what she needs to do to wake him up, and between the two of us, we should be able to convince him why he needs to go. Is every pony ready?”
Nova and the girls, except for Fluttershy, nodded.
“Ok then, we’re going in.” Twilight started walking, but Nova noticed Fluttershy wasn’t following.
He figured it was best to point it out. “Twilight wait, Fluttershy isn’t following you.” She and the girls all turned and saw that she was hiding her head in the dirt.
“Oh come on.” Twilight commented. She pulled Fluttershy’s head out by her wings, then got behind her and started pushing her to get her to move. “Come on, we have to do this….NG….now. every…gh…” Rainbow then started helping Twilight push. “Every….gh…second longer that dragon..” Rarity then joined in. “Is another…” Applejack then joined. “Acre of Equestria covered in smoke…” Finally Pinkie just bumped into the whole group.
Nova stayed out of it though, he was just annoyed the girls couldn’t see that Fluttershy was afraid. “I….I…..I can’t go into the cave.”
The girls fell over from behind her.
“Oh great, she’s scared of caves now too.” Rainbow commented.
“That’s it Dash, I’m getting real tired of this attitude of yours.”
Dash then got in Nova’s face. “MY attitude, Fluttershy’s been slowing us down the whole time!”
“Because she’s scared of something, I haven’t asked her of what because I don’t want to press her.” He then looked over at all the girls. “And if you all were good friends like I thought you were, you’d see this too.” The girls, started looking rather guilty.
Twilight started to try and defend herself. “But Nova, this is important.”
Nova glared at her. “And being a good friend isn’t? Aren’t you supposed to be learning about what makes a good friendship or something?”
“Well, yes.”
“Then here’s a lesson.” Nova softened his look. “A good friend should be able to tell when something is bothering your friend, you should ask them if something is wrong and help them with whatever problem their having, if they choose not to tell you, then let them tell you when they feel ready, and don’t’ ignore it if they do tell you for the sake of something else.”
Twilight started. “Nova….I…I’m sorry, you’re right, we should have noticed something was bothering Fluttershy.” Twilight then turned to Fluttershy. “I’m sorry for trying to rush you Fluttershy, and for not noticing when you were afraid.”
“Yeah, me too.” Dash apologized as well. The others then joined in. “Sorry.”
“Oh, it’s ok.”
Nova turned to Fluttershy. “Fluttershy, I’m sorry but you’re obviously afraid of something here, I don’t mean to force you, but I think it’s about time you came out and told us what’s going on, why are you acting so scared?”
“Well, um….I…..I….”
Nova came closer and put a hoof on her shoulder. “It’s ok Fluttershy, you can tell us. We won’t think any less of you.” He then looked to the girls. “Right?” His look was really more directed at Rainbow and Twilight.
The girls all sounded off in agreement. Fluttershy was hesitant. “Well, you see….I….I’m…..afraid of dragons.” The dragon let out another loud snore, Fluttershy cringed and hid behind Nova.
Twilight came around to Fluttershy to talk to her. “But Fluttershy, you have such a wonderful way with dealing with all kinds of animals.”
“Yes, because they’re not dragons.”
Rainbow Started. “Oh come on, we saw you walk right up to a horrible manticore like it was nothing.”
“Yes, because it wasn’t a dragon.”
Pinkie then chimed in. “Spikes a dragon, you’re not afraid of him.”
“Yes, because he’s not a huge gigantic enourmous sharp scale having teeth nashing fire breathing could totally eat a pony in one bite all grown up dragon.”
Twilight started and spoke nicely. “But if you’re so scared of dragons, why didn’t you say something before we came all the way up here?”
“I was afraid to.”
Applejack came up to her. “All of us are scared of that dragon.”
“I’m not.” Dash bragged.
Applejack corrected herself. “Almost all of us are scared of that dragon, but we got a job to do, so get in there with Twilight and show em what yer made of.”
Fluttershy looked over her friends. “I…I…” She looked like she was about to cry. “I just….can’t.” She then turned and started walking away.
“Oh Fluttershy.” Twilight said sadly.
Nova felt bad too. “Maybe I can talk to her, I’ll be back.” Nova then took off after her before the others could object.
“Fluttershy, wait up.” Nova caught up to her. “Fluttershy, I know it must be hard, but if you’re really as good with animals as Twilight says, then I believe you could get that dragon to leave.”
“But I’m afraid, I can’t face a dragon.”
“I know you’re afraid, but this is one of those times where you need to face your fears. I’m facing one right now my-self.”
Fluttershy looked at nova with a bit of surprise. “You are? What is it?”
“Leaving my little brother alone. This is the first time ever we’ve been apart, and I’m worrying about him the whole time. I’ve never left his side before.”
“Goodness, really?”
“Ever since I was little, I had to be the one to take care of him while he was still a baby. I watched out for him, bathed him, taught him what I could, I was always there for him. This is the first time I’ve left him alone and in the care of some pony else.”
“Goodness, but, what about your parents, what happened to them…if you don’t mind me asking.”
“Sorry fluttershy, but I do mind, it’s not an easy thing to talk about.”
“Oh, ok then….forget I asked.”
“Fluttershy, facing your fears is one thing, but facing them for the sake of your friends is a another, you’d be helping them out a bunch if you did this. Now I know your scared, but your friends are there to help you, and I’ll be right there with you the whole time too….promise.”
Fluttershy smiled at Nova. “Ok, I’ll do it.”
“Great, now come on. We got a dragon to talk to.” Nova led Fluttershy back to the cave.
As they drew closer, they heard a ruckus, they picked up their pace and got to the cave just in time to see a large red and yellow dragon blow a cloud of smoke at the girls, knocking them up against a rock. Fluttershy narrowed her eyes at the dragon. “How dare you.”
The dragon turned his attention to Fluttershy. Nova cringed and looked in fear at it. Fluttershy fluttered up higher. “HOW DARE YOU!” To Nova’s surprise, she flew up to the dragons face and got on its nose. “Listen here mister, just because you’re big, doesn’t mean you get to act like a bully!” She was looking it right in the eyes. “You may have huge teeth and sharp scales and snore smoke and breath fire, but you do not, I repeat, you do NOT…HURT …MY…FRIENDS! You got that?” The dragon was now looking scared as he dropped his head. “Well?”
The dragon then spoke. “But that rainbow one kicked me.” He pointed to Rainbow Dash.
Fluttershy’s voice softened. “And I’m very sorry about that, but your bigger than she is and you should know better. You should also know better than to take a nap where your snoring can be a health hazard to other creatures.”
“But I…”
“Don’t you but I me mister, now what do you have to say for yourself……..I said, what do you have to say for yourself.” To every ponies surprise, the dragon started crying.
“Great galaxies.” Nova said to himself.
Fluttershy then started comforting him. “There there, you’re not a bad dragon, you just made a bad decision, now go pack your things, you just need to find a new place to rest.” Fluttershy said as she flew back down to the ground.
The dragon ceased his crying and went into the cave to get his stuff. He then came back out and flew off.
The girls all gathered around her and cheered for her. “You did it, I knew you could do it.” Twilight complimented.
Nova came up then. “Way to go Fluttershy, that was amazing.”
“Thanks Nova, but I couldn’t have done it without you, you helped me find the courage to stand up to the dragon and face my fears.”
“Glad I could help.”
Twilight then addressed Nova. “Nova, you talked Fluttershy into facing the dragon?”
“No, I helped her find the courage to face her fears. She chose to stand up to the dragon and talked it into leaving.”
Applejack called out. “Come on, ya’ll, lets head on back.”
Later on, back in Ponyville.
The girls and Nova made it back to Ponyville as a team of pegasai started clearing away the smoke. The girls went their separate ways while Nova came up to the library with Twilight who opened the door with her magic. As soon as she did, Nova was tackled to the ground by a green blur. “NOVA!”
“OOF….hey Starburst.” Nova said as Starburst wrapped his forelegs around Nova’s neck and nuzzled him.
“Nova, I missed you so much, please don’t leave me like that again.” Starburst looked like he was about to cry.
Twilight laughed at the scene. “HEY, get back here you little pest!” Spike cried as Angel ran out the door. He stopped when he saw Nova. “Oh, hey Nova.” He said happily.
Nova stood up with Starburst now on his back and continuing his hug with a smile. “Hey Spike, so how did things go, was Starburst any trouble?”
“Nah, we were fine, right little buddy?” He asked Starburst.
“Well, things were fine, but that bunny seemed to keep causing trouble for Spike.”
“But you and Spike got along ok?” Nova asked.
“Mmhmm.”
Twilight then came up to them. “You see Nova, I told you Spike could handle it.”
“Yes Twilight, you did, at least now I know if I need someone to watch him, I can count on Spike, but I also have the option of Big Macintosh.”
“Wait, you mean we might be separated again?” Starburst asked.
“Well you are going to be starting school here soon.”
“Really, so that means it’ll be every day that we won’t be together?”
“Almost every day. Let’s head home and I’ll tell you more about it. Thanks Spike, for keeping an eye on Starburst for me.”
“No problem, I’m glad I could help.” Spike said with a smile.
Nova then turned back to Twilight. “I’ll see you later Twilight.”
“Bye Nova, and thanks again for all your help today.”
Nova and Starburst then left and headed for home. “So starburst, did you learn anything interesting while staying with Spike?”
“Yep, Spike showed me why I shouldn’t eat too much ice cream at once, he got this thing he called a brain freeze, it looked painful, and I don’t think he meant to do it on purpose either.”
Nova chuckled. “He he, well I’m glad you didn’t have to learn about it the hard way.”