“Come one, come all, to see the Great and Powerful Trixie!” A light blue mare wearing the classic wizards hat and cape yelled, standing on her back hooves and throwing her front ones into the air, fireworks going on in the background, “The slayer of an Ursa Major!” The crowed cheered, save for Twilight, Spike and their friends, who were looking at Trixie with some annoyance, well, except Twilight, who was looking nervous at her friends saying what a braggart Trixie was.
“Having a talent isn't bad though, isn't it?” Twilight asked.
“I agree darling, unless you show it off like so.” Rarity said with a huff, raising her nose.
“Well, The Great and Powerful Trixie sees that we have some Neighsayers in the audience,” She said with disdain, “Would anypony like to try to prove that they are better than The Great and Powerful Trixie?” She says again, fireworks exploding behind her once more, along with a generous dollop of fanfare.
Applejack glared, “Thas it, ah can't stand no more ah this!” she jumped up onto the stage, producing a rope as Spike egged her on, “Can yer magical powers do this?” she asked, tying it to her tail as she proceeded to jump and spin around in the loop to the sound of a banjo, grabbing an apple off a tree with the lasso and eating it whole, before smirking at Trixie, “Top that Missy.”
Trixie smirked, and her hat glowed, floating off her head, “Oh ye of little talent, watch and be amazed of the magic of Trixie!” the rope Applejack had put down was surrounded in her horns purple glow, as she made the rope glide around Applejacks face, a snake charming song spell making her watch, before she was hogtied.
Rainbow had had enough, taking to the air and landing right in front of Trixie, “You can’t be showing off like that, that’s my job!” She exclaimed, speeding off. She raced around the windmill a couple of times, before flying upwards at an angle and making a hole in the clouds. After making a pose in front of the sun, she speeds down the hole she had made before, taking some of the water from the clouds as she landed back on the stage, moving just right as the sunlight refracted the water, creating a rainbow, “That’s why I’m called Rainbow Dash,” She smirked.
Trixie snorted, “When Trixie is through, the only thing they will call you is loser!” She said, her horn lighting up as the rainbow around Rainbow began to move spinning faster and faster around the increasingly dizzy Pegasus, who eventually started to stumble forwards. She smirked again, her horn glowing brighter as she shocked Rainbow in the flank with a bolt of lightning from a cloud she summoned.
Everypony laughed as Rainbow yelped, falling off the stage, “You think that’s funny?” A new voice asked softly, just loud enough for everyone to hear, causing everypony to turn around. A white coated Unicorn stallion with a black mohawk and tail and a strange symbol for a cutie mark stood next to a Light grey Pegasus, with a short mane and tail, colored yellow, his cutie mark more recognizable, a yellow star surrounded by a darker grey cloud behind it. Both of them wore saddle bags, the Unicorn’s was white with his Cutie Mark, the Pegasus’s was blue, with his cutie mark on it. They were both glaring at Trixie, the Unicorn’s eyes black, and the Pegasus’s brown. “You think it’s funny to hit someone when their back is turned?” He asked in the same soft tone.
“Yeah.” The pegasus said, blinking, “Wait, its bad, no. Im thinking of something else...” he muttered, looking at the ground as he thought.
Applejack looked at them after finally getting out of the rope, “Who are ya?” she asked, “Ah havent seen yall round ‘fore.” She said.
Twilight looked at the unicorn, thinking, “Do I know you from somewhere? You sort of look familiar...” she said.
The unicorn shook his head, “Don’t think so miss, lived in Canterlot all my life, joined the Royal guard since I was four, served directly under Captain Shining Armor directly.”
Twilight's eyes widened, “Oh, you were one of the younger recruits under my brothers command when I became Celestias student and he was on his first duty of caring for and training the foals that were in the guard program because of their parents!”
“If Trixie may interrupt,” The blue showmare said angrily, not happy about the attention being diverted from her, “Trixie wishes to know who the hay you are.”
“Lieutenant Thunder Quill, second in command under Captain Shining Armor, head guard of the solar guard.” he said proudly, levitating a Royal Guard badge, out of his saddle bags, “And you said you could slay an Ursa Major?” His eyes narrowed as he placed the badge back in his saddle bags.
Trixie looked slightly taken aback by that question on her abilities, “Well, yes, who else besides the Great and Powerful Trixie would save the town of Hoofington from the Ursa.” Her horn lit up, depicting a giant blue space bear. “When all was lost, the town of Hoofington turned to-”
“The Royal Guard.” Thunder said, his voice rising slightly, “A year ago, a battalion of Solar guardsmen was sent to Hoofington with reports about an Ursa Minor attacking it.” He said, placing special emphasis on minor, “I was part of that battalion, along with your brother,” He glanced towards Twilight, “You might remember that in a letter he sent to you.”
Twilight was silent for a minute as she thought, “I remember that a little bit...” She admitted.
“We reached the town, only to find it in ruins. The bear had been on a rampage, and most of the ponies in the town were dead, victims to the monster’s rage.” He sighed, “We tried to subdue the beast, but we were slaughtered. The monster took out half our battalion before we were able to defeat it. Some of my best friends were killed...” He fell silent as dry sobs racked his form.
The pegasus looked around, before he scooted closer to Thunder and put a leg around him, “Uh, its good now.”
Thunder eventually calmed down, glaring at Trixie as the pegasus let him go, “You were there that night, I remember you. You were hiding behind guards the entire time, and when we defeated the beast, you demanded special treatment, saying that you had defeated the beast. I remember you, because you said that the guards who died, my friends, were useless, and had gotten in your way…” His glare turned murderous, “If you don’t get out of here so help me…”
Trixie backed up slightly on the stage, before she regained her composure and smiled, “The Great and Powerful Trixie doubts that your measly abilities are able to defeat The Great and Powerful Trixie!” She yawned, “This talk has bored Trixie, but do not fear, Trixie shall be back tomorrow to show you all Trixie’s amazing magical prowess!” Her horn lit up and smoke obscured her as she vanished.
Twilight frowned at the stage, before she backed up quickly as it folded up and turned into a stage coach, disappearing after Trixie. She sighed, looking over at Thunder, “Shining sent me the letter, but he never said anything about casualties and a mare like Trixie.” She put Spike on her back and ran to the library as the crowd started to go, including Rainbow, Fluttershy, Pinkie and Rarity.
Applejack huffed, “That pony is more of ah bad apple than any ever been.” she looked at Thunder and the pegasus, “So, whater yall doin here if yer royal guards from Canterlot?” she asked.
Thunder sighed, visibly calming down, “Guard leave, at least for me, Shadow over here is an actor, but he’s got no jobs at the moment, so he decided to take a vacation with me. I got a years leave, special for what the members of the Hoofington Event went through.”
Applejack looked at Thunder, “Yer lyin, ah kin tell. You aint on leave.” she pauses for a second, and looks him over carefully, “But it aint ma business ta interrigate ya, so ill not ask and let ya go bout what yer doin.” she said.
Thunder nodded, “‘Preciate that.” He said, before looking around, “Is there a motel in town? One that allows weapons?”
Applejack frowned, “Ah don't rightly know, an ah don' think ya should be needin a weapon either.” she said.
Thunder frowned, lighting up his horn as a small pen like object popped out of his saddle bags, before it grew in size, turning into a sword, “This is Harmonic Strike. I made it myself. It never dulls, never chips and will cut through most types of magical and normal armor.” He put it away, it shrinking as it did, “I never go anywhere without it.”
“And I'm never allowed to touch it.” Shadow muttered, looking at Thunders bag.
“Because it’s a pen when I take my magic away. You want to write with it, no problem.” Thunder said, before turning back to Applejack, “Know anywhere I would be able to stay? I’m no stranger to hard work.”
Applejack sighed, “I couldn't ask ya ta work on tha farm with me. If ya ask round, ahm sure somepony will know ah place er motel er something round here fer tha both ah ya.” she said.
“Thank you miss…” He trailed off, not knowing her name.
“Right, ahm Applejack, nice meetin ya.” Applejack said, putting a hoof out.
“Thunder, Thunder Quill, right back at you.” He said, returning the gesture, “And one of my oldest surviving friends, Shadow Star, world famous actor,” He said with a smirk, “If he could land a job.”
Star frowned, “I had a job once!”
Thunder sighed, beginning to walk away, “Yeah, you were Darth Vader in Star Mares, and your face wasn’t shown once.”
Star sighed, and flew after him, “Yeah, well, I still had sort of a job...” He said.
Applejack chuckled and left for Sweet Apple Acres, looking back at the spot the stage had been for a minute before trotting away.
Jason panted heavily, “Holy shit… we actually made it.” He groaned from the opposite side of the canyon, smiling at hearing the bear roar, from the other side, “We’re alive.”
Gilda sat up quickly from the ground, and groaned, “Alive, but with wings that hurt like hay...” She muttered, rubbing her back.
“At least we’re alive to complain about it.” He groaned, rubbing his wings, “Sorry about that line. Couldn’t resist.”
“Tell me what it means later...” Gilda muttered, getting onto her feet, shaking herself out as dust fell away from her body, “We just got like...an hour or so ahead of schedule because of the ursa, and I don't want it figuring out it can jump across easily.” she whispered.
“Unless it can jump a mile, I think we’re safe.” Jason deadpanned, getting up. “The skateboard was a good idea…” He muttered, an idea coming to him, “And If I can do that…” He trailed off, his lower body transforming into a long strip, with four wheels on the bottom and a seat behind him, complete with safety straps that a griffon could sit in easily, “I am now a car.” He said in a robotic dog’s voice.
Gilda stared at him oddly, “Ok...whatever that is, it looks deformed.”
“It’s the best chance for us to move the fastest as possible. I can move the wheels myself, and if we need to, I can sprout wings to glide.” He said, turning his upper arms into wings. “I look like a highly mutated freak, but It’s the best chance.”
Gilda walked around him, looking at the parts he called a car, “So...I just sit in the seat or what? I think it would just be easier to walk...”
“Sit in the seat, we move faster than we could by running at our fastest speed.” Jason said, his eyes turning a stormy grey, “Now get in the god damned seat.”
“Alright, jeez.” Gilda said, jumping onto the seat.
Jason smirked, “Hold on.” The wheels spun rapidly, creating a mass of smoke, before shooting forwards at speeds Rainbow Dash would find extreme. Gildas talons dug into the seat as she held on. “We’re going at roughly 5000 miles per hour!” He shouted, “This may not have been my best idea!”
“Stop the car thing!” Gilda yelled, her talons digging in deeper into the seat as she held tightly to the fabric.
Jason gritted his teeth as he stopped, skid marks appearing on the ground for a large distance before he finally stopped. “You alright?” He asked through his teeth.
Gilda looked like her fur and feathers had gone through a tornado, her talons as far in as they could possible go, “Yeah, I totally enjoyed being on a crazy contraption creature.” She pulled on her talons, unbudged, “And I’m stuck.”
Jason groaned, “Pull it out as hard as you can. It should get unstuck.” Gilda pulled harder on her talons, before she fell over the seat and onto the ground, the fabric of the seat ripping and tearing apart as her talons got unstuck.
Jason growled, transforming back into his normal body, “Let’s not do that ever again.” He muttered, standing up, “Let’s keep going.” He growled again, walking.
Gilda stood up from the ground and shook herself, fixing her fur and feathers, “Trust me, I wouldn't want to do that again if I got a thousand bits.” she said, walking after him.
They walked for a couple more hours, only stopping once they got to a giant mountain range, “This should be a good place to stop for the night,” Jason muttered, walking into a cave at the bottom of the range.
Gilda shrugged, “Sure. Just hope no one else is around here… looks a bit like dragon territory to me.” she said, walking into the cave, observing around, “Why are you limping anyway, it wasn't that bad of a walk.”
Jason growled, “Not your concern.” He grabbed some sticks and weeds from the bottom of the cave and placed them in a small circle, before grabbing a certain rock and morphing his right hand into it. He snapped his fingers creating a small spark, which lit up some of the branches and weeds, and soon enough they had a roaring fire, which lit up the cave as well as a dark green patch on Jason’s upper thigh, four holes in the fabric of his jeans in the shape of Gilda’s talons.
Gilda looked at it, “I guess I shouldn't be surprised that the seat was an actual part of you and not just something you made up out of nothing.” She said.
“Kind of hard to use transformation powers when you use nothing,” He growled, sitting up slightly.
“Sorry then.” Gilda said.
Jason said nothing, instead opting to growl as he stood up and walked to the outside of the cave. “I’ll keep watch, go to sleep.”
“No need to tell me twice for that.” Gilda said, lying down on the cave floor, curling up and putting a wing over herself for warmth. Soft snoring emanating from under her wing after a few minutes indicating her slumber.
Jason sighed, sitting down as he closed his eyes as he established a mental link with him and Emily. When he opened his eyes he was in the normal meeting place, the school study hall, “God damn it…” He growled, grabbing another desk as he sat on one, elevating his injured leg.
Emily appeared sitting down in a chair, a little red bird on her shoulder, “You know, I really don't like communication like this, since I almost burned down the tent in my sleep that one time...” she turned and looked at the bird, “Oh...you can follow me now?” she asked.
“Who’s the bird?” He asked, hissing as the jeans dragged across his wounds slightly, “God damn it…”
Emily looked at him, “I think a better question is what happened to you with your...interestingly enough now green blood...” she said.
“I’m fine.” He muttered, “I’ll ask again, who’s the bird?”
“Hes Blaze.” Emily said calmly.
“How did he get here?” Jason asked, an angry tone to his voice.
Emily frowned, picking Blaze up in her hands and holding him, “I’m a magic person, magic people get a pet, hes my pet, I won him from some pervy dragons.” she said.
“Nice job.” Jason said, moving his leg and standing up, hissing as pain shot through his leg, “Fighting off Dragons seems something a wizard would do.” He growled through gritted teeth.
“One of them was trying to rape me...” Emily sighed, “Not a fun experience really.”
“I’ll kill him.” Jason growled, fire burning in his eyes.
Emily shrugged, looking down at Blaze, “Imloch scared them enough. They won't come back anytime soon. Poor little Blaze, being threatened by big mean dragons while an egg.” she whispered, hugging him.
“Look after him, he seems like a good Phoenix.” He gave a small smile, which quickly morphed into a scowl, “It’s about time to wake up, Gilda will probably need some food.” He muttered spitefully.
“She scratch you or something? Is that why you're bleeding green blood?” Emily asked.
“I SAID I’M FINE!” Jason yelled, whipping around to face Emily.
“You don't sound it.” Emily said.
Jason growled, “Talons so far deep into my Chitin that they got stuck.” He tilted his head, “Sound fine enough?”
Emily frowned, “Could I have some context to that really strange sentence?” She asked.
Jason glared at Emily, before turning away, “I wanted to get across the badlands faster, so I turned my lower half into a car-like shape, with a seat.”
“And she sat in the seat, which was your legs, I’m guessing.” Emily said. “Why did she had to dig her talons in then? Cars barely go fast enough for a need to hold on unless they are Nascar cars.”
“I went faster than Nascar, hell, I went at least five times faster than the fastest land speed cars, you know the ones with rockets on the back?”
“No, I don't. I don't really know much about cars besides Nascar is just in circles.” Emily said.
“The fastest Land Speed car went about 900 MPH, I went over 5000.” He said, turning away, “Without a shell or anything else.”
Emily thought about that, “It isn't really her fault though, if she didn't know your legs were actually the seat and you were going faster than she could ever fly to begin with. Hell, I would dig my nails into your leg if you did that...if I had any...” she looked at her chewed fingernails, and shrugged, “She didn't do it on purpose.”
“I added safety belts for a reason.” He muttered, “I added things like that for a reason.”
“Has a griffon, or any type of creature in this world, even seen one before?” Emily asked, putting Blaze down on the table.
“She should realize what they are for!” He exclaimed, “I try to keep her safe, I get crippled! How is that fair!?”
Emily sighed, “I’ll ask Imloch to teach me a healing spell so I can heal you when we see each other later. She hasn't seen a seat belt, she didn't know. She is probably sorry.”
Jason glared, before sighing, “Yeah… I know… She said as much, I just assumed that the Princess of the Griffon Empire would know what a seatbelt is.”
Emily blinked, “What?”
Jason sighed, “She is the exiled and disowned daughter of the King and Queen of the Griffon Empire…”
“Ok...wow.” Emily said, “Thats kinda cool. I just hope that everything is going to be normal again when we get back home...I think.” she looked at Blaze on the table, “Except for him, and you, I guess.”
Jason frowned, “I’m… not going back to Ponyville…”
Emilys frown came back, with more intensity, “Why the fuck am I even trying to come for you then? Im not going back to Ponyville without my fucking shiity ass friend.”
Jason glared, “Because I would hope that dragon-meat Emily would want to know where her fucking shitty ass friend was going to stay. You saw how ponies looked at us when we first moved into town? Imagine what they’ll say when they see I’ve become ¾th changeling, a hated race by ponies. I don’t think it’s gonna work too well.”
Emily sighed for a full minute, leaning back in her chair as she looked up at the ceiling, “If I know Twilight, she would probably help you out with that.”
Jason shook his head, “Twilight doesn’t have complete control over the town. Even Celestia is unable to stop the actions of each individual pony in her kingdom. Old racisms die hard…” He muttered.
“Learn to change. You got some time before we meet up.” Emily said, looking up at him after returning to a more normal sitting position.
“What if I don’t want to change?” Jason muttered, “I want people to accept me for me.”
“I’m sure our friends will protect you, and I will as well. The ponies will learn to accept you if me and the others trust you.” Emily said confidently.
“I can protect myself,” He growled, lifting his arm and creating a triangle shaped blade, “Or did you forget?”
Emily sighed, “I mean, protect you, as in help you get trusted faster...” She looked at Blaze, “Help me out here buddy?” She said, leaning on the table.
”I have to agree with Jason…” Blaze said amazingly, his voice surprisingly deep.
“Holy shit baby phoenix talking!” Emily exclaimed, looking up at Jason, “Did you hear that?”
Jason shook his head, “No, what?”
”Only you can hear me, Emily.” Blaze said, ”It is a trait that Familiars share with their Wizards.”
Emily stared at Blaze, “How do you know this, you were born an hour ago!” She exclaimed.
”We share a mental link, remember?” Blaze pointed out, ”Everything you know, I know as well, everything that Imloch has ever told you, I know. He tells you a lot that you actually remember, even if you aren’t paying attention at the time.”
Emily sighed, “I should have payed attention to that one drawn out speech he made while explaining Bobo...” she muttered. She smirked, looking up at Jason, “He agrees with me.”
”That is a lie!” He said indignantly, flying up and shaking his head, ”From what I have seen of creatures, they fear what they do not understand, and since Changelings is the race that is the least understood, it is understandable that they would be feared the most.
Emily frowned, “My own familiar is trying to make me unable to keep my friend, and its a baby...” she muttered, “Fine, if I can't stop you, and my own familiar is against me, I cant keep you from not coming.” she muttered, putting her arms across her chest.
Jason exhaled, “I never said I was never going to see you again. I’m just gonna go someplace a bit more reclusive, I’m gonna visit.” He muttered, “Em, you’re my best friend, the world exploding and death wouldn’t keep me from seeing you if I wanted.”
Emily puffed out her cheeks and breathed out slowly, thinking, “Theres a cave on a mountain close to Ponyville. Before me and Imloch left, Twilight and her friends were told to go and get a dragon out. Its vacant now I assume, so you can live there.” She suggested. “Thats why they arent helping to search for you.”
Jason shrugged, “Alright, and, thanks. It means a lot to me for you doing this.” He smiled, “I can’t wait to see you face to face.”
“Im just mad you won't stay in the castle with me. I don't want to live with Imloch alone!” she complained.
Blaze squawked angrily, ”You’re not alone! You have me now!”
Emily looked at him, “I know I have you. But you can’t save me from Imloch.”
Jason sighed, “I’ll see you guys tomorrow.” He sighed, closing his eyes.
Jason opened his eyes, instantly falling on Gilda’s sleeping form, She’s actually really nice looking… He thought to himself before blinking, Did I really just think that?
Her wing moved out of the way from under him and he was met by an open eye, “What are you doing?” she asked.
“Just got off a mental talk with Emily,” He said, “She wasn’t really happy with my choice to not go back to Ponyville.”
Gilda sighed, “I might be too if I knew ya a long time like she probably does,” she said, “now get off me.”
Jason complied, frowning as he did so, “I was at the cave entrance, how did I end up over here?”
Gilda shrugged, standing up and shaking herself out, “I dunno. Maybe you moved. Your leg ok?”
Jason nodded slowly as he thought, before he sighed, “Listen, sorry about last night, I was just angry that my Idea failed, on top of me being in pain…” He sighed again, “I did put safety straps on the seat so you wouldn’t have to do that…”
“Is that what those things were? I thought they were some useless decoration for a car thing.” Gilda said.
Jason sniggered, “Nope, those things can spell the difference between life and death in a car accident at high speeds.” He fell silent, “Theres this mountain, on the outskirts of Ponyville, really tall, no-pony goes near it?”
Gilda shrugged, “I dunno. I don't think ponies really go anywhere outside their towns anyway besides by train.”
“Well, near the top, there is a cave, I’m guessing a large one, since It used to hold a dragon, and when I told Emily that I was looking for a different place, she suggested that one, It’s large, easily enough for at least 100 people, depending on the dragon, close enough to town so that supplies are easy, yet far enough that no-pony up there would be disturbed.” Jason said.
“Sounds like a good place for you.” Gilda said.
“And you, If you wanted to.” He said, “I’m not against sharing space, and since you seem to have, trust, issues, I’m guessing due to the whole Exile business, that could be a good way to fix it.”
Gilda glared at him, “I don't have trust issues.” she looked at her talons and flexed them, “But...I guess if you're offering, I could live there with you I guess and make my own place in it...”
Jason smiled, “Thank you, was that so hard?” He grinned, before wincing at the pain in his leg, “We should keep moving, we still have a long way to go until we get to Imloch and Emily.” He began limping out of the cave.
Gilda watched him, and ran in front of him, “You might not be that heavy that I can't let you sit on me for awhile. I might as well do that for ya.” she said.
Jason looked heavily surprised, “Are you sure? I weighed about 160-ish before, and with this chiten, I’ve probably only gained some weight.”
Gilda shrugged, “I lifted heavier back home when I was a kit. Besides, even if I can’t fly with you on my back, I can still walk with you. It isn't that hard, probably heavier than you anyway.” she muttered.
Jason looked unsure, but he nodded, “Alright…” He said, leaning down and sitting on her back slowly, “The moment you get tired, you tell me and I’ll get off, alright?”
“Yeah, whatever.” Gilda said, starting to run.
Jason was silent for a couple hours, glancing every once and a while back at Gilda, “Your fur is really soft…” Jason said, before an audible smack emanated from his facial area.
“Uhhh...thanks, I guess.” Gilda said, the confusion and slight discomfort easy to feel.
“Sorry…” He muttered, “You didn’t have to carry me… I can walk myself...:”
“I messed up, its only fair I carry you since I gave you a limp.” Gilda replied.
“I am still perfectly fine with walking…” He muttered, “Thank you though…”
Gildas emotions changed to frustration, her running going a bit faster, “You walking wouldn't be fast enough.” she muttered.
“I suppose…” He said, “You don’t owe me anything, I screwed up, I got hurt. Karmic justice and all that…”
“Whatever.” Gilda said, “Just be happy you get a free ride and don't have to run.” she said.
Jason groaned, “There is no convincing you otherwise, is there?”
“No.” Gilda said.
Jason sighed again, “Alright… This at least gets me some time to test out what I can do some more.” He said, changing his arms into things.
Gilda rolled her eyes, “Just don't make anything that can cut me.” she said.
Jason rolled his eyes, “At the very least a minor peirce.” He joked, changing his arm into a crossbow shape, which fired a bolt like shape. “Nice.” Gilda jumped over where the blt had landed and continued running as he played with his abilities. “You know, you could have just left me.” He said softly, “You didn’t have to let me ride you…”
“You could have let me die.” Gilda replied, looking ahead.
Jason blinked, “So this is a repayment? I saved your life, you save mine?”
“This is me saying sorry for what I had done to the others at Ponyville, and for you saving and letting me live with you in the mountain later.” Gilda said, her gratitude in her voice and emotions.
Jason blinked again, before smiling, “Well I for one forgive you. I know first hand that losing a friend can be vicious, especially one that you’ve had for a really long time.”
Gilda sighed, “It's nothing really, hadn't seen Rainbow in a long time anyway. It didn't matter anymore what friendship we used to have.”
Jason frowned, “Was she friends with you before I came in and fucked everything up? I’m sorry about that by the way.”
“You didn’t do anything dude, you just happened to be able to get Rainbow informed of my treatment of one of her friends...”
“But was she? People who are friends so long, usually stay being friends, even after such a long time.” He asked.
Gilda sighed, “It was too long a time. She was so different back then, the pony she is now isnt even remotely how I remembered her. I guess she wasn't really my friend on that visit...” her running changed to a slow gallop as she thought.
“I’m sorry for bringing it up…” Jason said, “Are we friends? I would like to think we are…” He asked.
Gilda laughed, “Based on how you've been treating me since finding me, I gotta say yeah.” she said.
Jason laughed along with her, “That’s good.” He said softly, “I’m glad for that.” Gilda didn't respond, and started running again. He looked ahead, squinting, “I see another mountain range up ahead, some caves dotting the side of it. Looks to be a far distance off…”
“Sounds like a dragon nesting area, and I can see them better then you can. Eagle eyes.” Gilda said, looking herself, “I don't think we should stop there.”
Jason squinted more, “We have two options, we stop in one of the lower caves, and hope that there is either no dragon, or that he/she is at least friendly enough to let us stay there… Or we continue on until we hopefully find another cave…”
Gilda stopped running and stood in the dirt, taking a while to think it over, “I guess we can try the caves idea. We can sneak im and check to make sure that there isn't a dragon in one, so we can stay for a bit. It will also help to not alert any more dragons that we are there if we sneak into the cave quietly.”
Jason nodded, “Guess it’s good then that I can change my color and texture to the same as the wall.” He said smirking, “Changelings, masters of disguise.”
“Griffon, can't really change.” Gilda reminded him.
Jason nodded, “True… Can you wait outside the cave, close enough that I can get to you easily, but far enough that we can escape if needed?”
Gilda frowned, “I didn't say that Griffons weren't able to sneak up on things they wanted, now did I? I just said I wasn't as easily disguised as you would be.”
Jason sighed, “I know… I just don’t want you to get hurt. If the Dragon uses its breath weapon on me, I’ll be made out of stone, which doesn’t burn. It melts at high enough temperatures, but it doesn’t burn.”
Gilda blinked, “Breath weapon? You mean fire? Why do you make everything cool sound lame?” she laughed, “Alright, ill wait out here for ya.”
Jason nodded, getting off her back, “It’s called a breath weapon because different Dragons have different kinds of weapons. Fire is the most normal, but there is also lighting, frost, acid, corrosion along with other things.”
“Not in this world, here its just fire, now go check, before I decide to do it in boredom and hope theres a dragon.” Gilda said.
“Alright, alright, I’m going.” He chuckled goodnaturedly, “If you see fire, prepare to run like all hells.” He began to walk towards the caves.
Gilda nodded, “I'll keep an eye on that.”
“Not a bad place…” Thunder said, looking around his and Shadow’s room, “Could do with a bit more decorations…”
Shadow shrugged, “I'm just glad we have two rooms and a kitchen and don't have to share a bed.” he said looking around the room. It was actually multiple small white walled rooms divided up into a small tiled kitchen with an oven and a marble island, a brown couch able to unfold to be an extra bed with a hallway between them leading to three white doorways. a bedroom on either side of the hallway while a bathroom sat at the end of the hall.
“Still could use a picture or two…” He muttered, placing his saddlebags onto his desk, “Not bad though”.
Shadow walked down the hallway and into the left room, looking at the neatly made bed with a bedside table next to it, “I suppose. Too bad we can't decorate a motel, and that we couldn't get a bigger one...” he complained.
“I suppose… I’m really surprised they let me keep Harmonic Strike.” He said, taking his blade out as a pen and putting it in a pen-cup.
Shadow stared at it, “Maybe because it looked like a pen to them because you didn't make it a sword.” he rolled his eyes and shut his bedroom door a bit more dramatically then was needed as he walked into it.
Thunder sighed, looking around his room before picking up Harmonic Strike and placing it in his mane, “Going to the Library, see you later!” He called to Shadow as he walked out the door.
“Have fun with your secret guarding,” Shadow said to the empty room, chuckling quietly as he took chalk and a book out of his saddlebags and flew up to the ceiling, pushing a small panel of the ceiling back so he looked into the darkness of the space between, and hid the stuff inside, replacing the ceiling piece and landing back on the floor. “My dear friend.” he muttered, going to the kitchen.
Thunder walked through the town, taking in the sights, “Not a bad place…” He said, before frowning at the giant tower in the middle of the town. “That’s an eyesore…” He muttered, before turning to the literal tree-house, “Golden Oaks Library…” He muttered, reading the sign out front, “Seems like the right place…” He trotted up to the front door and knocked, “Hello? Miss Sparkle?”
Thunder waited as he heard hoofsteps from behind the door, it finally opening, revealing a small purple dragon, to which Thunder tensed, “Hello?” The Dragon asked, looking up at Thunder.
Thunder calmed down, “I’m here to talk to Twilight Sparkle, I served with her brother in the royal guard. Is she in?”
“Yeah, she’s inside.” The Dragon said, moving aside so that Thunder could enter, “My name is Spike.”
“Thunder, Thunder Quill, nice to meet you Spike.” Thunder said as he entered, Spike closing the door behind him, which created a small thud. “Twilight?” He called out, “Where are you?”
A door opened at the end of the main room, and Twilight walked in, a book in her magic glow, “Hello...are you here because you need a book?” she asked, frowning slightly as she looked out the windows near the front door.
“Not exactly…” He muttered so that Spike or Twilight couldn’t hear him, “I kind of wanted just to talk…” He said, sheepishly, “Shining told me all about you, he was kind of like an older brother to me…”
Twilight smiled, “Thats nice of him to do… I haven't been talking about him at all, which I probably should be doing...Whenever he brought some of you guys home to train, I would enjoy watching it, and I considered you guys part of my family as well, just really extended.” she said.
Thunder smiled, “Yeah, Shining always spoke very highly of you, He was never more happy than the day that you became Celestia’s personal student. He always spoke of that day with pride.”
Twilight smiled back, “Thats nice of him then...” she looked out the window again and sighed, “Im just...a bit sad about what you said back there, about what Trixie did...Shes a showoff, but she would insult ponies like that and shove it in their faces...”
“Yeah…” Thunder said, “That… bitch has the gall to take credit for something that my best friends have died doing… If I get my hooves on her…”
Twilight stared at him, “Don't hurt her. She is just blowing hot air and is probably more harmless than anything else. Shes going to leave soon I think...” she said, shaking her head, “Anyway...your a royal guard, but you don't have a cutie mark that normally goes for one, and I haven’t seen it in any books I have read yet, and if I did, I haven’t seen any pictures to identify it with. What exactly is your talent?”
Thunder smiled, “It’s called a Yin-Yang, it symbolises balance, or harmony. My special talent is being able to sense harmony, or balance in ponies. I always prefer to keep the balance between good and evil. I fight for good, but I don’t let them get too powerful, if good disrupts the balance, it must be corrected, by evil gaining power.”
Twilight smiled, “Thats good then, I'm happy that you were a good guard before you got on leave. Im also quite happy to finally see a symbol for it.” she said.
Thunder nodded, “I didn’t even know what It was until about five years ago. I was stationed in the tiger homeland, and I saw the symbol everywhere. I finally asked my captain, who was an earth pony named Storm Hooves who had lived there for most of his life, married a nice tiger named Gress, Nice mare, but anyway, I asked him and he told me it was a Yin-Yang, symbol of harmony. I had known I could do those things for a while, but it was nice to know what markings were on my flank.” He half joked.
Twilight nodded, “It is nice to know what the symbol on your flank is, even if you do know your talent, its nice knowing both.” she agreed.
Thunder smiled, before his eyes widened in shock, “Crap! I gotta get back to my motel, see you later Twilight.” He said, rushing out the door.
Twilight waved to him as he left, and looked at Spike, “The library isn't open, I need to study something...” she said, leaving the room.
Jason crept as quietly as he could through the cave, thanking every deity that he knew of that he hasn’t been spotted. Every single god-damned cave near the ground that he had explored had a sleeping dragon, freaking huge ones, whose little toes were about five times larger than Spike. “This is the last cave on this level, if there is nothing here…” He whispered, before freezing as a growl echoed behind him, “Fuck…” He muttered, turning around slowly, knowing that his stony covering wouldn’t protect him for long. A giant, forty five stories tall dragon stood in front of him, scales a deep black, and it’s eyes a shining green. It opened its mouth, a green light glowing inside of it. “NOPE!” He said quickly, making his skateboard and racing underneath it’s legs, “NOPENOPENOPENOPENOPE!” He screamed, as the floor ahead of him melted. “I KNEW THEY HAD ACID!” He roared, making his board fly into the air with a small fist smashing into the ground beneath it. He landed, uninjured, as he raced into the moonlight. He heard a roar from behind him, followed by a dozen more. “SHITSHITSHITSHITSHIT!” He screamed, racing ahead as fast as he could, “GILDA!!!” He yelled, stopping at where she was supposed to be, “WHERE ARE YOU!?”
Gilda ran out from behind a part of the mountain, and looked up at the dragons in the sky, “Wow...” she said.
“They can go faster than I could, we need to hide, or find a defensible position…” He muttered, looking around rapidly.
Gilda watched him, before she looked back at the dragons. Her fur and feathers stood on end as she spread her wings, and roared loudly, grabbing Jason's arm and running in the other direction before the dragons could react to it.
“They can catch up easy…” Jason panted, before wrenching his arm out of her grip, “Keep going, I can buy you some time.” He said, his eyes a bright purple color.
Gilda skidded to a stop and turned to him, “I'm not letting you die after everything you did for me! Just use your changeling thing and turn into something again. An animal preferably.”
Jason shook his head, "There's no time. Plus I don't know how yet. I can buy you some time, but you have to go now!" He yelled, the dragons getting closer.
Gilda shook her head, “No, Im not going to leave you to die to some dumb dragons. Im going to stay and help you.”
Jason glared at her, "I didn't save you so you could throw it away fighting dragons!"
Gilda glared back at him, “And I didn't decide to return the favour by watching you die yourself!” she slapped him with a claw, before she kissed on on the cheek quickly and ran away.
Jason froze, a hand slowly moving to the place where she had kissed him. His eyes glowed even brighter, "Godspeed..." He whispered, before turning to the incoming dragons, "I might die this day, but I swear I won't let you touch her!" He roared,something breaking free inside of him. With a groan, he began to change. His legs grew bigger, becoming a bright silver as scales began forming, his mouth elongated, his teeth becoming razor sharp. His back exploded, two giant silver wings forming. The first dragon reached him, spewing fire, completely consuming him. When the smoke cleared, a giant silver dragon appeared in his place, his purple eyes glowing with rage. "YOU SHALL NOT TOUCH HER!!!" He roared, taking to the skies with beats of his mighty wings. The first dragon who charged him found itself without a head, the next, both wings. More and more fell to Jason's draconic strength, until he stood against the black dragon.
The foe dragon opened its maw, creating a blast of acid, which Jason countered with his fire, creating a brilliant show of acid and fire being disintegrated by each other, the green of the acid and the orange and red of the fire making what looked like a shower of colored drops of water on the ground with whatever escaped, which started to sink in on itself slowly making a hole. The dragons kept it up, and neither was going to stop, but Jason's side was beginning to shrink.
The black dragon grew smug, increasing his breath blast as the fiery red continued to get ever smaller. Jason's eyes narrowed, throwing in as much power as he could to the blast, eventually driving the green backwards. The black dragon's eyes widened as he tried to put more into it, but it was too late. The fire poured over him, causing him to roar in pain as the white hot fire began melting his scales.
Soon enough, there was nothing more of the Drake than charred ashes that fell to the ground. Jason roared in victory, sending a gout of flame into the air. He felt the last of his energy leave him as his dragon form left him, sending him falling to the ground. At least she's safe... He thought to himself, That's what matters... As his consciousness finally left him, he felt a soft, familiar feeling embrace him as his vision went dark.
Gilda had watched Jason transform and change into a giant dragon once she had run away far enough, and watched as he fought the other dragons like they were the ones intruding on his space. She watched as he changed back in midair, and started running as he fell. Her wings opened as she picked up speed, and she jumped off the ground, flapping her wings as she caught him out of the air, just as he fell unconscious.
She sighed, looking at her wings. She smiled, and flew back to the ground, putting him down, “Consider this my thanks, you idiot.” she muttered, pulling him by his hair into one of the now vacant caves.
Jason groaned, realizing happily that he did so. "So I'm not dead..." He moaned, "Sure feels like I should be..." He muttered. He was inside a small pocket ledge on the inside of the side of a cave wall, alongside some gems that had been housed there by its old owner. He wondered how he had gotten to that place, stiffening as he heard someone walking, "Who's there?" He meant to yell, but it came out more as a croak.
“Don't try and strain yourself dragon boy.” Gildas voice said from over the ledge, “You looked like you did that enough as a dragon.”
Jason smiled weakly, "Thank god you're alright..." He let out a cough, "What happened, I don't really remember much of it, besides the transformation part."
Gildas voice held amusement to it, “You killed all the dragons, as well as providing a rad light show with fire and acid.” she said, the sound of wings flapping as she flew onto the lip of the ledge. “I think the fall into the hole full of acid would have killed you more then anything else really...”
Jason nodded, before suddenly shivering, "Why is it so cold?" He asked, "Was it like this before?"
Gilda looked around, “The cave? Nah, not really. Its good for me.”
"Well you have fur and feathers for insulation, while I got nothing."
Gilda looked at him, and crouched down so she could get closer in the slanting rock of the ceiling, “Maybe its because you haven't moved for a couple hours, your shirt is gone, and you're lying on a few gems.” she said.
"Maybe..." He said, grunting in pain as he sat up, "Remember right before I transformed, what you did after slapping me?" He asked her.
Gilda nodded, “Yeah. Be careful not to hit your head by the way.” she said.
Jason smiled very slightly, taking care not to bump his head, "Did that mean anything, or..."
Gilda sighed, “It meant, I hope you don't die, because if you do, ill kill you again after what I did for you.” she said.
Jason simply smiled, before leaning forwards and kissing her on the cheek.
Gilda blinked, and looked at him, “Do you consider that to be even?” she asked.
Jason shook his head, "No, it's my way if saying I like you, like-like you."
Gilda hummed, smiling, “I can't say i'm not surprised, I may like you as well, since you have helped me and considering everything that's happened, I don't think I wouldn't mind.” she backed up back to the opening, “Take a nap, we leave in the morning.” she said, flying out of sight.
Jason smiled, "Can't wait." He whispered, before trying to get comfortable on the stone floor.