The girls could only look up as the dragon towered over them. Injured or not this dragon could still hurt them. The fillies huddled together shivering in fear as the dragon slowly lowered his head to their level. The dragon’s snout barely touching them, but they could feel the heat radiated from his body. A low audible growl emanated from the dragon’s throat, ”I will not ask again. Why are you here?”
Shaking in fear the fillies look to one another, ”W-w-we j-just wanted t-to say t-thank you f-for saving our l-lives.” Sweetie Belle squeaked.
In an instance the dragon’s anger vanished, ”What?”
“Y-yeah w-we just w-wanted to s-say our thanks t-to you, ”Scootaloo quietly said.
“W-we d-didn’t mean t-to bother you.” Apple Bloom quietly answered, ”We j-just wanted to t-thank you that’s all.”
Shen-lung has never received a ‘thank you’ in such a long time, five years to be exact. Nor has he ever shown any sort of interests to other creatures. In the past he had left home to escape from something that had hurt his heart deeply. And when he left home, all he ever wanted was to be alone. He never wanted to see or speak to any creature, be if they be Gryphons, Eagles, Owls, Wolves, Dragons, or even Ponies. He wanted to be alone, alone and away from others. But there were a few things he could never forget.
The teachings from his mother and father. Try as he might he could never forget them. Growing up as any creature would was given teachings or lessons from their parents. Lessons that were very important, ones that could never be forgotten. Shen-lung’s parents taught him that one should show kindness to others and to never ever harm those who wish to help, especial children. As ill-mannered and short tempered Shen-lung was, he could never harm a child. And these fillies were just mere children, children who were innocent and knew nothing about the hardships of life. He would never say or admit, but the dragon was very fond of children. Children were innocent, full of energy, and they gave him a sense of happiness. A feeling that he had forgotten so long ago.
Shen-lung’s expression soften, ”Forgive me...If I scared you young ones.”
“What?” The fillies said confused at the dragon’s sudden change of attitude.
“I had told your sisters that I wanted to be left alone,” Shen-lung said gently, ”But it seems they have forgotten to tell you three about it. So for that I am deeply sorry.”
“S-so you're not angry with u-us?” Apple Bloom said, a little shaken but was able to find her voice.
“No, I’m not and I should not have let my temper get the best of me.” Shen-lung said sincerely.
“Aww its ok,” Sweetie Belle said with a smile, ”Its not your fault that you got angry. It was mostly our fault.”
“What do you mean young one?” Shen-lung asked turning his head to Sweetie Belle.
“Its just that my friends and I wanted to thank you for what you’ve done for us.” The young filly explained, ” And It was kinda rude of us for bothering you while you were sleeping.”
“Yeah we’re really sorry.” Scootaloo apologized.
“We’re sorry that we bothered you Mr. Shen-lung.” Apple Bloom apologized as well.
Shen-lung turn to each one of the fillies. Seeing them made him smile as they apologized to him,”Let’s forget this ever happened young ones.”
The girls smiled at how friendly the dragon had become and would have given him a hug, but a smile was enough. “So why did you girls come here to see me.” The dragon asked.
“Well we wanted thank you for what you’ve done,’ Apple started, ”So my friends and I baked you some apple pies.”
“Apple pies?” Shen-lung repeated, wondering what an apple pie was. ”What’s an apple pie?”
Apple Bloom gasped,”You don’t know what apple pie is?” The dragon shook his head.
“Then its a good thing my friends and I made you some pies.” Apple Bloom said with a smile.The young pony brought her hoof up and pointed to three silver dishes that were emanating an aroma of some sort. Shen-lung slowly brought his snout down to the steaming hot apple pies that the girls graciously place before him. The dragon could smell a strong yet sweet aroma and it was starting to make him drool. But the dragon hesitated, wondering how it would taste like and if it was good to eat.
A few minutes had passed and the ponies were starting to get worried that the dragon may not like the pies. His stomach on the other hand gave a loud growl and could not wait any longer. The dragon bit into it, and was almost overwhelmed with flavor and the texture in his mouth
“This is delicious!” Shen-lung said through bites. ”I have never eaten anything this good before!”
“Aw, thanks, I’m glad you like them.” Apple Bloom said, ”But I couldn’t make these pies without my friends.”
Shen-lung finished the pie in a matter a seconds, gulping down the sweet taste of apple pie, ”And I thank you three for making these pies.” Moving on to the next pie.
The girls gave a cheerful cheer as they watched Shen-lung finish the second pie. Savoring every last piece he takes into his toothy maw. In no time, he finishes the last of his offered meal and licks his lips clean. The third pie was shared between them, so everypony and dragon enjoyed it. They all finished the pie in a matter of minutes, leaving the dish empty. Shen-lung smiled as he savored the last bite and swallowed with a satisfying sighed.
Feeling happy that he had finally eaten something to ease his hunger, ”Thank you for the food. It was delicious.”
“Your welcome Mr.Shen-lung.” Apple Bloom said with a big smile. “I’m glad you liked them.” To which Shen-lung nodded with a smile and noticed a white box with a lime green ribbon next to Sweetie Belle.
“What is that?” He asked pointing his snout towards the box.
“Ohh!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed, ”This is a gift my sister and I made together. We wanted to give you something very special.” She said as she gently grab the gift, placing the white box in front of Shen-lung.
“A gift?” The dragon said.
“Let me guess. You don’t know what a gift is either?” Sweetie Belle asked with a frown.
“No, I…I know what a gift is. Its just I have not received one in such a long time.” Shen-lung admitted.
“Then you are in luck cause Sweetie Belle and Rarity’s gift is really special!” Scootaloo said with a grin.
Shen-lung stared at the white box then to Sweetie Belle who gave him a big smile. Then he looked at the box again, wondering what was inside this box. He brought his head down to examine this strange gift. Sniffing it to see if there was anything edible, but all he could smell was some sort of fragrance. He snorted, trying to rid himself of a flowery scent. Sweetie Belle gave a sheepish smile, ”My sister wanted the gift to be perfect.”
The dragon nodded in understanding the thought, but the scent was a little too much for him. Ignoring the overwhelming scent, the dragon placed his claw on the box. Ripping the plastic paper off and opening the box. He peered into box and and found something that nearly made him gasp. It was a scarf made from silk fabric that shimmered lightly in the darkness of the box. Gently and carefully, the dragon touched the fabric feeling the soft texture. The dragon drew his paw back quickly, making Sweetie Belle frown, “You don’t like the gift?” She said, her voice beginning to sound sad.
“No, no, no the gift is wonderful.” Hesitated Shen-lung ”It’s just that I don’t deserve such a gift.”
“Of course you do silly,” Sweetie Belle giggled. ”You're a hero.”
The dragon’s eyes sadden, ”I’m no hero.” He said with sadness, ”I used to be, but that was a long time ago.”
“If you’re not a hero then what are now?” Apple Bloom asked curiously.
Shen-lung sadly shook his, ”I don’t know what I am now?”
The girls had small smiles as they huddle together, whispering amongst themselves. Shen-lung barely paid any attention to the young fillies. As his mind began to remember memories, memories that he a buried long ago. He shook his head of such thoughts, ”No,no, no I will not remember the past again.” Then he felt something soft touch his neck. The scarf was gently wrapped around his neck by the young ponies. He could feel the warm, soft cloud of fabric caressing his neck in its warm embrace.
Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo had wrapped the scarf around his neck. All three had to carry the scarf so that it would not get dirty from the ground they stood on and also because it was a little bigger than the average scarf. Gently as she could Sweetie Belle had gently and neatly wrapped the gift around the dragon’s neck. The girls moved back to admire their work.
“So what you girls think?” Apple Bloom asked her friends
“I think its perfect.” Sweetie Belle smiled.
“It looks great.” Scootaloo agreed.
The scarf matched perfectly well to the lime green scales of Shen-lung’s body, even contrasting well to his white scales. It was soft and warm, and had a pleasant flowery scent though thankfully it was different from when he was opening the box. The dragon was at a loss of words, staring at the scarf that was wrapped around his neck. The fillies were giving him genuine smiles, making him smile as well. A real genuine smile that the dragon return, ”Thank you, young ones. This is a wonderful gift. And I thank you for giving this gift to me. I will treasure it always.”
“Cutie Mark Crusaders Gift Givers Hooray!” Making the dragon cringed over the exciting shout the girls gave. The girls excited as they quickly turned to their flanks, searching for the one thing they wished to have. Their ‘Cutie Marks’. However their smiles soon turned into frowns as they found no marks of any sort on their flanks. With defeated sighed the fillies sat down on their haunches sad at not earning their ‘Cutie Marks’.
“Is something wrong young ones?” Shen-lung asked, frowning at how the cheerful smile from the fillies turned into sad frowns.
“We didn’t earn our cutie marks,” Apple Bloom sadly answered.
“We kinda hoped we got them, but we didn’t.” Scootaloo added, she frown at how they couldn't get their cutie marks.
“I guess being gift givers wasn’t enough.” Sweetie Belle said sadly.
“You should not think like that young ones.” The dragon said, ”You three gave me wonderful gifts. Gifts that made me very happy.” That seemed to cheer the girls up, but it wasn’t enough to a bring smile.
“We know.” Apple Bloom said, ”But we just want our cutie marks so badly.” This made the dragon curious. What was this ‘Cutie Mark’ and what was so special about it?
“What is this ‘Cutie Mark’ you speak of?” Shen-lung asked wondering what a cutie mar was.
This question seem to make the girls smiled as they explained what a cutie mark was. From what Shen-lung can understand was that a cutie marks were unique picture-like symbols located on the ponies flanks. From they learned from school was that ponies are born without a cutie mark. The cutie marks are obtained when ponies discover a unique talent that sets themselves apart from others. He had seen these markings recently from their sisters and even one particular marking that he had seen before, one that belonged to his younger brother.
“I see...so that is why these cutie marks are so important to you girls.” Shen-lung said now understanding their reason. “I like your determination young ones, but you lack patience.”
“Ugh that’s the problem.” Apple Bloom stomped her hoof, ”We don’t want to wait. We want them now.”
“Waiting is sooo boring and it takes forever.” Scootaloo added.
“And we always get teased for not having a cutie mark,” Sweetie Belle said sadly.
The dragon chuckled, ”I don’t know how you young ones will earn this marks of yours, but I know you’ll earn them someday. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but someday you will earn them.”
“Really?” The girls asked their frowns slowly disappearing.
“Believe me young ones you’ll earn them.” Shen-lung smiled. ”Now why don’t I show you girls something very special.”
The girls nodded at the idea that the dragon was going to show them something special. Keeping their eyes locked on the dragon. A look of wonder in their eyes as they watched Shen-lung lifted his right paw plunging his claws into the soil, digging with them until he reached the depth of his choosing. "Observe young ones."
The fillies kept their eyes trained on the hole he had created. "I learned this from my teacher when I was young. This is a very special gift that I was born with." He suddenly shut his eyes and faced the hole he had dug, taking in a breath and releasing it, softly spewing out a soft greenish cloud onto the soil. The girl’s eyes widened in curiosity as they watched him continue. He broke away and opened his eyes, smiling brightly as the greenish cloud entered the soil. Once the cloud vanished the dragon gently used his claws, filling the small hole with dirt.
“Nothing happened?” Sweetie said, hoping to see something amazing. The other girls nodded in agreement.
"You’ll see" Replied Shen-lung.
They all looked down to see a green stem pop up, then one more to its left. Before too long, there were ten tall stems sprouting from the hole he created, but it didn't stop there. They gasped when all of the stems blossomed at one time, sprouting beautiful flowers with the petals exactly the same color as his white scales. He leaned down, a smile still on his face. Enjoying the looks he was receiving from the fillies. The fillies leaned in closer and gently touched the flowers with looks of wonder.
"My teachers taught me that my elements aren't just for protection. Some can be used for different purposes." He gently laid his head down to rest. "To be honest, I've been trying to perfect this technique since I was a hatchling.”
“Wow, how long did it take to do this,” Apple Bloom asked still staring at the flowers that had just grown from her barn.
“A year or less. Its been a while since I’ve done this” The dragon said truthfully.
“There beautiful.” Sweetie Belle said her eyes sparkling with amazement.
“That is so awesome!” Scootaloo exclaimed with excitement.”What else can you do?” The dragon could only smile, thinking what else he could show to the young fillies.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Back in the home of the Apple family, Skywind was resting from his long journey. The large pony was listening with great interest from the ponies that may have met his brother. He listened from each of the girls of what had happen a day before his arrival, except from Spike and Rainbow Dash since they were not there that day. The girls explained how they had entered the Everfree forest and why they did so. They went into the forest searching for their friends and younger sisters who had entered the forest, hoping to earn their cutie marks. He was curious of what a cutie mark was, but he remained silent.
Once they were in the forest the girls found their sisters safe and unharmed. But all that changed when wolves appeared, making the ponies run for their dear lives. They ran as fast as they could, doing whatever they can to slow the wolves down. They ran through the forest, though an open meadow, but they wolves were persistent. They used magic to slow the predators down, but that only fueled their determination to hunt. The ran, ran as much as their legs allowed them, until they came to a dead end. Try as they might there simply was no escape, so the only thing they could was fight.
They did what they could, using whatever was around from rocks, boulders, magic and even fighting the wolves with their bare hoofs. Things were looking good for them, but things got worse when more wolves arrived. Including the arrival of their leader. They fought back as much as they could, but were overwhelmed by the number of wolves. They could nothing but watch as their lives were coming to an end. But out of nowhere a dragon had appeared fighting the wolves, protecting them from the beasts that had attacked them.
The dragon fought with all he had, and had managed to send the wolves running for their lives. Sadly the large reptile collapsed from the injuries he had sustained from the fight. Thus ends the story as ponies brought Shen-lung here to recover after saving their lives.
“S-so he’s here? My brother is here?” The pegasus asked almost at a loss of words.
“He sure is. In fact he’s in the barn resting, but that brother of yours has a short temper.” Applejack answered.
“That sounds like him” Skywind said with a smile, ”I hope he hasn’t caused you girls any trouble?”
“Oh no he hasn’t done any sort of trouble, Sky dear.” Rarity answered with a smile, ”Although the only problem he has given us is his rather rude behavior.”
“Then I apologize for my brother’s behavior.” Skywind apologized giving a small bow to the girls.
“There’s no need to worry about that sugarcube,” Applejack reassured. ”We’re just glad we could help that brother of yours get better.”
Skywind nodded happy to hear these ponies wanted help his brother recover from his injuries, but then Rainbow decided to ask the one questioned he wanted to avoid, ”So why’s a pony like you calling that dragon your brother?” She asked wanting to know the reason why a pony would call a dragon a brother. Normally the girls would scold their friend for asking such a question, but they were curious.
“Its personal issue that I like to keep to myself and I don’t really want to talk it.” The pegasus answered sadly. ”I’m sorry, its just I’m not ready to tell you girls about myself at least not yet.”
“Seems to me like you're hiding something from us.” Rainbow questioned giving Skywind a suspicious look.
“I’m not its just that I am not ready to explain myself and to be honest I don’t know you girls personally. So do forgive me if I don’t answer your question.” Skywind said truthfully hoping not to hurt the girls feelings.
“Its alright dear,” Rarity said, ”If you are uncomfortable about telling us then you don’t need to answer any questions that are personal to you. Isn’t that right Rainbow Dash?” Giving a slight glare to her friend. The cyan pegasus rolled her eyes and muttered something to herself.
“Thank you for understanding,”Skywind thanked Rarity for understanding his reason, “Now about my brother. When can I see him?”
“I-I don’t think that’s a v-very good idea.” Fluttershy said, making Skywind turn to her.
“What do mean you by that, miss?” The pegasus asked gently.
“W-well you see your brother wanted us leave and h-he was very angry with us,” Fluttershy explained softly. ”I don’t think h-he wants anypony near him.”
Skywind sighed sadly, ”I would like to see him.”
“Are sure that’s good idea?” Spike asked, ”I mean he’s not really in a good mood to see anyone.”
“I know, but I need talk him.” Skywind said.
“I can’t understand why you wish to speak to that brother of yours Skywind dear.” Rarity said with a frown. “After the way he has been treating us, I’m surprise you still wish to speak him.”
“What’s his problem anyway?” Rainbow Dash questioned, making her friends look towards her, ”I mean I don’t know this dragon personally, but from what my friends told is that your brother is a big jerk.”
Everypony’s eyes widen at what Rainbow Dash had just said, none of them spoke or made any sort a sound. Aside from Rarity who gasped in utter surprised, even Fluttershy was surprised. Of course of the girls knew that Shen-lung was rude, ill-mannered, and short tempered, but to say such a thing to his brother Skywind was a little too much.
“Rainbow how could you say such a thing!” Rarity exclaimed.
“What are you talking about?” Rainbow asked with a frown, ”I thought you girls didn’t like that dragon?”
“Well...we are bit uncomfortable of Shen-lung’s presence, but there was no reason for you to use such words, especially in front of Sky.”
Skywind frowned sadly, ”I understand if girls are uncomfortable with my brother. Its just that...well…-”
“Well what?” Rainbow interrupted.
“Its not my place to say, but I can tell you this.” Skywind said looking at the girls with sad eyes, ”Something…terrible happened to my brother and it changed him. I know he may be rude and ill-manner as you say, but he wasn’t always like that. He used to happy, kind, and loving, but that all changed when he lost something very special to him.”
“And that is?” The cyan pegasus asked once more.
“I can’t say.” The pegasus said sadly, ”Only that he lost something very precious to him a long time ago.”
The girls and Spike’s eyes sadden except Rainbow who only had a frown. The girls knew that Shen-lung wasn’t exactly nice, but now there was a reason as to why he acted this way. He had lost something that was special to him. Something that was precious to him and that changed him to what he was today. Whatever happened to Shen-lung must have been something terrible to have changed him. They could have asked Skywind for more information, but he had told them it was not his place to say.
“Now I feel terrible for thinking of him as a brute.” Rarity said sadly.
“Gosh, I had no idea that your brother was hurt? No I’m starting to feel bad too.” Applejack sadly agreed.
“Now I understand why he’s been acting that way.” Twilight said sadly.
Fluttershy was silent but the quiver of lips meant that that she was very sad for Shen-lung’s pain,” D-do y-you still want to see your b-brother.”
“I do.” Skywind with a small smile.
“Then why don’t I take you to him.” Applejack said with a smile, ”I bet he feel better seeing you here.”
The girls nodded and agreed, even Rainbow agreed, but she still didn’t trust the dragon. But she should at least give a chance. Skywind was happy that he was finally going to see his brother, following the ponies as they led him to see his brother. But they stopped as when Rarity looked around, ”Have any of you girls seen Sweetie Belle?” They all shook their heads.
“Where’s Scootaloo anyway?” Rainbow Dash asked, wondering where the filly was.
“Now that you mentioned it. I haven’t seen Apple Bloom either?” Applejack wondered.
“When was the last time you girls saw them?” Twilight asked her friends.
“I think I saw them girls in the kitchen, I thinking they were baking some apple pies with Granny Smith.” Applejack pointed to the kitchen.
Fluttershy entered the kitchen and found no signs of the girls, ”The’re not here.” She said as returned to her friends.
“What! But where could they be?” Rarity asked frantically looking for any signs of her sister.
“Granny!” Applejack said coming to her grandmother who was peacefully rocking in her rocking chair. The old mare turned to her granddaughter,”Yes, what is it dear?”
“Do you know where the girls are?” Applejack gently asked her grandmother.
“Can’t say that I haven’t although I do remember something uh...something...what was it.” The old mare muttered to herself, ” Something….something about the barn.”
“The Barn!” Everypony said except Skywind who cringed from how the girls reacted. The pegasus barely had time to respond as the girls quickly rushed past him. Not wanting to be left behind the Skywind quickly followed as they all left the house. They all ran towards the barn where Applejack arrived to the door first. She pulled the door with a grunt, allowing the others to see inside the barn, hoping that nothing terrible had happened to the youngs fillies.