Pain, it’s all the dragon could feel, and the cold, the harsh bitter cold. He was so tired that he could barely keep his eyes open. But he could still hear, he could hear faint voices. Voices that spoke about him, some sort of disagreement or argument, he couldn’t really tell. Whatever these ponies were talking about, he hoped that they would leave him alone.
“Are sure it’s wise to bring a dragon back with us to Ponyville?” a voice said.
“Well we can’t just leave him here to die; I mean he just saved our lives.” Another voice answered,” The least we could do is help him.”
“If we were to help, where should we take him? Ponyville is not exactly the kind of place that would accept dragons of his kind.”
“What about Spike, he’s a dragon and I don’t believe any pony has a problem with him.” A third voice spoke with an accent.
“Well… Spike is different, he is kind, helpful, sweet and protective of us and might I say he is just so adorable. While this dragon here is…. A bit harsh and rather rude.”
“Harsh or not, he still needs our help.” Twilight said, ”Fluttershy is there anything you can do for him?”
The shy pegasus sadly shook her head,” I wish I could help him… but-“she was startled as the dragon groaned in pain. The yellow pegasus was dreadfully afraid of dragons, except for Spike since he was a baby dragon. But looking at this dragon withering in pain, she knew that this dragon risk his life to protect them, and Fluttershy did have a special talent in communicating with animals, which she uses in order to provide them with food, medical attention and other forms of care when they needed it. She knew how dangerous dragons were, and she knew he may be a threat. But now that she looked at how weak, injured and defenseless he was right now, she couldn't let him suffer from those injuries.
“We need to get him somewhere safe, so I can treat his wounds,” Fluttrershy said more force in her voice.
“And where can we take him Fluttershy?” Rarity asked her dear friend,” To your cottage?”
“Well no… I mean we could take him there…. But I don’t think Angel and the other animals would be comfortable with a dragon staying with them.”
“Well then why not Sweet Apple Acres.” Apple Bloom suggested.
The four mares turned to the young filly that had suggested the idea. Sweet Apple Acres was a good place and it was away from Ponyville, but how would the rest the Apple family feel about housing a dragon in their home.
“I don’t know Apple Bloom, taking him to the farm does sound like a good idea, but how would Granny Smith and Big Macintosh feel about him?” Applejack questioned her young sister.
“I don’t really know, but they would want to help him after what he did for us.” She answered, looking at the dragon with sad eyes. ”We just have to help him.”
“Apple Bloom’s right, if it wasn’t for him we wouldn’t be standing here at all.” Scootaloo said.
“We will help him. Won’t we Rarity?” Sweetie Belle asked, looking up to her older sister.
“Of course we will Sweetie Belle, it’s just-“A loud howl was heard, making the ponies jump in fright.
“We better go before those wolves decide to come back.” Twilight stated as her horn began to glow. ”Rarity I may need your help.” Rarity nodded understanding what needed to be done. Both unicorns horns glowed, their magic surrounding the body of the dragon. Their combined magic gently levitated the dragon’s body, both being very careful.
“Applejack, Fluttershy you two go on ahead and get everything ready at Sweet Apple Acres. We’ll meet up there as soon as we can.” Twilight instructed.
“What about us Twilight? What can we do to help” Apple Bloom asked, hoping that the Cutie Mark Crusaders would be of some help.
“You girls go with Fluttershy, help her get whatever she needs.” Twilight instructed, the three young fillies nodded, following behind Fluttershy and Applejack went on ahead with the young fillies close behind them. Leaving Twilight and Rarity alone with the dragon that was gently levitated by their magic. Both mares moved slowly and gently as they could, both not wanting to worsen the injuries the dragon had sustained.
“Twilight, dear. Are you sure it’s still a good idea to bring a dragon with us back to Ponyville.” Rarity questioned her friend.
“To be honest, Rarity, I really don’t know. All I know is that this dragon saved our lives and we have to help, it’s the least we could for him.” Twilight answered truthfully, though a part did feel a little uneasy about bringing a dragon to Ponyville.
“Well I just hope he does not cause any trouble to Ponyville or any kind of trouble at all.” Rarity said.
“So do I Rarity, so do I.” With that said both ponies continued on their journey towards Ponyville, with the dragon still in their magic grasp. They moved on quickly, leaving behind today’s events that transpired in the Everfree forest and the danger that still might linger.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Sweet Apple Acres is the family farm orchard located near Ponyville, home to Applejack, Big MacIntosh, Apple Bloom, and Granny Smith. Well known for its sweet and juicy red apples, Apple Cider, and Zap apples made for its sweet apple jams. Sadly the apple orchard was barren due to the harshness of the cold winter season. But the Apple family were prepared for winter and stocked up on their supply of food for winter. Where we find Applejack, the Cutie Mark Crusaders and Fluttershy preparing the barn for the arrival of Twilight, Rarity and their injured guest.
Applejack had spoken to Granny Smith and Big Macintosh after returning from Everfree forest; both were a little uncomfortable housing a dragon in their barn, but after hearing what happen to her, to her sister and her friends. Granny Smith and Big Macintosh both agreed and allowed the use of the barn for the dragon’s recovery, since the dragon had risked his life protecting the Apple sister and their friends from danger. This was enough to convince both Granny Smith and Big Macintosh that the dragon was no threat, at least they hope so.
The barn was cleaned and ready to be use, now all the ponies had to do was wait for Twilight and Rarity to arrive. With the barn cleaned, there was the task of getting medical supplies, luckily Fluttershy had gather all the necessary medical supplies from her cottage with some help from Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. Fluttershy thanked the girls for helping her gather all the medical supplies she needed to treat the dragon’s wounds.
Now all they had to do was wait, but their waiting was cut short when they heard a knock on the door. Applejack quickly made her way to the door and opened it, greeted by Twilight and Rarity with the dragon still surrounded in an aura of magic. The two unicorns walked in, still holding the dragon in their magic aura. The dragon groaned deeply, a large fang deeply imbedded in his neck, which was coated in his dark red blood, and it continued to seep the liquid of life. Fluttershy looked on with worry gracing her features, her unyielding urge to nurse the dragon. Unfolding her wings, she flapped them as she pushed herself off the ground with her hind legs.
“Girls, make sure you put him down gently.” The yellow pegasus instructed gently. Which the girls nodded as they gently laid the dragon on hay bale makeshift bed. She grabbed a bottle of iodine from her saddlebag, hovering in front of the large reptile. ”Applejack, I need you get to me warm clean water.”
“Alright, I’ll be right back with that water.” Applejack said, going to fetch the water that Fluttershy had asked.
“Rarity, Twilight I may need your help with this.” Fluttershy said eyeing the large fang that was imbedded in the dragon’s neck.
“What would you want us to do, dear?” Rarity asked, with Twilight beside her.
“Grab those towels next to you and get ready to press down on the wound, Twilight, I need you to hold him down just in case he tries to move.” Fluttershy instructed. Both unicorns did as they were told, Twilight moving next to the dragon and gently holding him down and Rarity with the towels ready. The dragon started to move, then Fluttershy pressed her hoof down on his shoulder as his body began to make movements that indicated he was attempting to move.
"Oh no, no, no, no. Don't you move, Mister Dragon," Fluttershy commanded in a motherly tone. The dragon’s movement ceased almost as if the dragon was listening. She was a little worried since she had never fixed an injury on a dragon before; however she did possessed enough experience, knowledge, and good judgment to mend almost any infliction. Most of the injuries the dragon had received could easily be mended, but the wound on his neck was by far the worst.
The large fang was be removed first; otherwise the injury would only worsen if not properly attended to. With a determined look Fluttershy gently placed her hooves around the fang, signaling her friends to be ready. With a firm and gently pull the fang was removed, but the dragon moved from the sudden pain, making Twilight hold him down. Rarity moved in quickly pressing the towel firmly in the wound, stopping the blood that escaped from the wound.
Applejack finally arrived with the water that Fluttershy had asked for early, placing the bucket of water next to her, “Applejack, Twilight I need you two to soaked the towels in water and clean his wounds.” Fluttershy softly commanded. Both ponies nodded as they followed Fluttershy’s instructions. The towels were soaked in warm water and were gently pressed to the dragons wounds. This made sure that infection would not spread as the wounds were thoroughly cleaned
Minutes elapsed before Fluttershy took her blood-stained towel away and set it aside. Reaching for a few squares of gauze, she soaked them with iodine and proceeded to dab and wipe the wounds clean. She used both of her hooves as she worked considering the fact that tending to an injury was a bi-manual task. Rarity, Applejack, and Twilight moved aside, allowing Fluttershy to tend to the dragons wounds.
The fire breather winced at the stinging pain every now and again. Fluttershy paused for a second to look up at him with sympathy-glazed eyes. As she reached up to pat him on the nose with her hoof, she spoke to him in such a sweet voice.
"You poor baby," she crooned to him. "It's okay. It'll be over soon."
“Baby?” Scootaloo whispered. Apple Bloom shrugged as did Sweetie Belle. Knowing Fluttershy it was her way of comforting the injured reptile.
Fluttershy resumed cleaning his wounds as did the others. Eventually the yellow pony went for the needle, sanitizing the threading needle; she plucked a hair from her mane. She threaded the capillaceous strand through the needle's loop and secured it in a knot. Tilting her head to look at the dragon, who was still unconscious. If the dragon was awake, he would not be very happy as to what was about to happen next. Fluttershy was about to close the wound, when she realized the needle wouldn't be able to penetrate the dragon scales hit. They would have to be removed if she was going to sew the skin back together. Tentatively, she grasped onto the first scale attached to the edge of the torn flesh, knowing that this was going to hurt the fire breather. Yanking it off, the dragon responded with a grunt. A quick apology followed and the pony went away with removing more scales.
After what seemed like an excruciatingly long time, every single scale encircling each fang mark on reptile's body had been removed, revealing a layer of skin underneath. Fluttershy left his wounds alone for a few minutes to allow the burning pain to ebb away from where scales used to be. Fluttershy softly stroked the dragon's upper arm in a comforting manner, her face morphed into an apologetic expression for causing him pain. Gently as she could, she to begin stitching his flesh back together.
"Oh… okay…" Threading needle at the ready, Fluttershy started stitching. Twilight and the other ponies couldn't keep their eyes off of the yellow pegasus. Her face had contorted into a look of concentration as she sewed wound after wound in smooth, gentle motions. Just by observing her technique, the others could plainly see that she was adept in dealing with injuries.
“My goodness Fluttershy, where did you ever learn to stich like that.” Rarity asked with great curiosity.
“I had a lot of practice.” Fluttershy answered; truthfully she had learned it from Rarity when both girls would have some time to enjoy each other’s company. Mostly it was Fluttershy who would come to Rarity when they would have fun together.” And a good teacher.” Making Rarity smile.
Each pinprick wound didn't require any more than a few stitches each. It didn't take long at all for Fluttershy to finish closing up the bite marks on his arms, legs, and especially his neck. After that was accomplished, she snagged one of the towels and fluttered to the bucket to soak it in warm water and lather it with a little soap. Gliding back over to the dragon, she scrubbed off the traces of blood then went over them again with a dry towel. She washed her hooves and arms clean, sanitizing her hooves afterward.
Fluttershy wasn't done yet. Returning to him, she picked up the roll of gauze to wrap his arms, legs and neck. Once the wounds were properly cleaned and taken care of, the shy pegasus moved to examine his wings. The dragon’s once beautiful and majestic wings were now tatter and shredded, but thankful they were not broken. It would take time for his wings to fully heal, so all she could do is clean them and carefully wrapped the gauze bandages around his wings.
Fluttershy gave a calm sigh as she placed the last cool rag on the dragon’s forehead. Each of the gauze bandages that covered half a dozen cuts all across his body was tinged with red, the largest being from the neck. “Ok, I think that’s all I can do for him now.”
“Fluttershy, is he going to be ok?” Sweetie Belle asked, looking very sad as the dragon continued to sleep.
Fluttershy glanced down at her, with a small smile,” He’ll be alright.”
“Really?” she asked, her frown slowing turning into a smile.
“Oh yes, in just a few days he’ll be as good as new.” Fluttershy answered, smiling as the Cutie Mark Crusaders gave her the biggest smiles they could show. The others girls smiled as well, happy that everything was okay. But there were still a few things that needed to be answered,
“So uh, Twilight, is there anything we should know about this dragon and why he saved us?” Applejack asked.
“None that I can think about, but maybe I might find some answers in my books.” Twilight answered truthfully,” and I am bit curious myself. I mean why would a dragon save us, dragons are not exactly friendly nor are they protective to others.”
“Do you think there is a reason why he protected us? “Sweetie Belle asked.
“Well whatever that reason is, Sweetie belle. We should all be grateful that he saved us.” Rarity answered.
"We should count our blessings. You know, as bad as it was, we should really count our blessings. I mean it, that could've been worse," said Applejack, "A lot worse.”
"You said it, Sis. I was so scared," said Apple Bloom.
"Yeah, I really thought our number was up," said Scootaloo.
"But thanks to all of you, we're safe," said Sweetie Belle.
"Seriously, if it wasn't for you..." Scootaloo started.
"We'd be history!" Apple Bloom finished.
"Thanks for saving us, everypony," said Sweetie Belle.
"Yeah, thanks y'all!" Apple Bloom added on.
"Thank you all so, so, so, so much!" Scootaloo finished.
"Well of course we saved you, youngins. That's what friends are for and two..." Applejack stopped and looked over at the dragon.
"I mean two of us as your big sisters and one dragon. We're always gonna be there to help you out in a jam."
The Cutie Mark Crusaders all smiled up at Applejack, Rarity, Twilight and Fluttershy, all of who stood directly in front of them. But their smiles faded when they saw looks of anger spread across their older sisters' faces and Twilight, except for Fluttershy who only had a look of disappointment.
"But, maybe you wanna tell us just why the hay we had to go chasing after your little flanks through the Everfree Forest to save you this time?!' exclaimed Applejack.
"Really, Sweetie Belle, what were you thinking?! You could have been killed! If not by those wolves, then sure enough by one of the other horrible monsters lurking within the Everfree Forest!" Rarity scolded.
"What in tarnation could've possibly of gotten into your little filly heads to get you to go into the forest?!" asked Applejack.
The three little ponies looked away in shame, unable to face their sisters. It was Scootaloo who looked back to the three mares and finally stepped forward to spill the beans and face the music.
"It was my fault we went into the forest and ran into trouble, Applejack. It was my idea to go and I talked Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle into it," said Scootaloo.
"Scootaloo, why would you do all that?!" asked Twilight Sparkle scolding. Scootaloo looked away to hide the tears coming out of her eyes.
"Well... I... I... I was trying to get us our-"
"Your cutie marks," said Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Fluttershy, and Rarity all at the same time.
"Your cutie marks in what? Suicide?!" asked Applejack.
"We were trying to get...explorer cutie marks. Like Daring Do," said Scootaloo.
"First of all, Daring Do is a fictional character. She's not real," said Rarity.
"Secondly, you ought to know by now that the Everfree Forest is no place for youngins! It is the most dangerous place in Equestia with the most dangerous of creatures!" said Applejack.
"Indeed, you will never find a monster more dangerous than those in the EverFree Forest. I can't believe you'd put your lives on the line just for cutie marks. I must say, I'm very upset with the three of you. Especially you, Sweetie Belle," said Rarity.
"We're sorry," the three fillies said as they looked up at the adult ponies.
"Not as sorry as you're going to be when I talk with Granny Smith about this, Apple Bloom," said Applejack.
"The same goes for you when I tell Mother and Father about this, Sweetie Belle," said Rarity.
"Aaaawwww," said Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle at the same time.
"Twilight, did you want to add anything?" asked Applejack as she looked to the lavender unicorn. But she shook her head in response.
"No, this is something that should be discussed amongst their family superiors," said Twilight Sparkle. “And a proper apology given to our injured friend.”
"If you say so. Fluttershy dear, how about you?" asked Rarity.
“Maybe we shouldn’t be too hard on them.”
"Ooooookay. On that note, I reckon we'd better go and let our guest rest. Come on now, Apple Bloom," said Applejack. The young pony did as her big sister said and trotted up alongside her. As they walked away, they could still hear Applejack chewing her little sister out.
"We'd better start along back home too, Sweetie Belle. We have much to discuss with Mommy and Daddy. Come along," said Rarity.
Sweetie Belle trotted up to her sister's side with her head hung in shame. As the two unicorns walked away, Rarity could still be heard scolding her sister just like Applejack had been doing to Apple Bloom. Scootaloo looked up at Twilight Sparkle and Fluttershy, who has a stern look on her face.
"Well, Twilight... are you going to chew me out like Applejack and Rarity did to Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle?" asked the orange filly.
"No. That's a job for your mother and your father, neither of which I am. So no, I won’t give you a long lecture. I can however say this," said Twilight Sparkle. ”That you, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle have a lot to think about.”
The young filly frowned and bowed her head in shame. Fluttershy gave a small smile as she reached out one and pulled Scootaloo closer to her.
“Everything will be all right Scootaloo… I mean I know things might look bad now, but in the end everything will turn out for the best.” Said Fluttershy as she smiled down at the orange filly.
“You… really think so” Scootaloo asked as she looked up to Fluttershy.
“Oh yes, I’m sure everything will be alright.” She answered with a small smile, giving Scootaloo a loving hug while Twilight watched from the side with a smile.
“Come on, Scootaloo. I’ll take you home.” said Twilight.
“Okay, and thanks Twilight.” said Scootaloo. And with that, the two walked away. But before leaving Twilight stopped,” Are you going to okay being alone with him.” Twilight said pointing a hoof where the dragon was sleeping.
“I think I’ll be okay on my own for a bit.” Fluttershy said glancing behind her to see the dragon still sleeping.
“Okay, then I’ll see you later. Goodbye” said Twilight, Scootaloo following close behind. Leaving Fluttershy alone to tend to the dragon as he slept.
The shy pegasus returned to the dragon’s side, still sleeping peacefully as he slept. She arrived to the male's side, and with much care slowly collapsed upon her legs, to lay down. She slowly and carefully began scrolling her eyes across the sight of his body. She started on the forearms in front of her. Fluttershy had never paid attention to the scars since she was tending to his wounds. The scars ran up his arm and to the rest of his being, marked with his lime greened scales. The scars seemed to be claw like, scratches and cuts from battle. She noticed one of the scratched that cut horizontal to his paw. This one was particular, a clean cut, unlike the others he held. Slowly and carefully, the pegasus brought her hoof down upon the scar. Her hoof touched the strong scales without disturbing the dragon from his sleep. She slowly ran her hoof around the scar.
“I'm sorry”, she thought to herself, as she ran a hoof across the discoloration once more. For a moment she wondered if it had hurt. This dragon must have suffered so much pain.
The female began to go up, past his arm, and reached her sight up to his back. The muscles here were quite strong. His body was marked well; she looked at his wings. They were sturdy, powerful, injured, but they would heal in time. Her eyes began to slowly go upwards to his face. The young mare carefully studied, noticing a large scar upon his right eye. This scar was much older than the others, making her wonder how he received a scar this large.
The young mare fragily brought her hoof over to the side of his face, and gently touched the mark. The skin on the scar was rough, and rugged. All of a sudden, the yellow pegasus heard a soft muffled grunt. Fluttershy shot her look to the male dragon, with the fear that she had been caught. When she glanced, she found the dragon still sleeping. Relieved, Fluttershy slowly and carefully placed her hoof back down on the hard floor.
"Sky-….-wind," the dragon suddenly murmured out. "Brother." Fluttershy caught attention of this.
“Skywind?” she whispered. “Who is Skywind?” Little did she know, her question was about to be answered.