//------------------------------//
// Tour de Fluttershy (Part 1) 
// Story: When Discord Calls (Name pending) 
// by Moonlight_Glimmer 
//------------------------------//

	"Now Fluttershy, it's good that you are going out to see the dragon migration, but do be careful, darling."
"Okay, but-"
"Be sure to enjoy them there apples, too. Wouldn't want ya to starve."
"Thank you, but-"
"If those dragons get in your face, just kick 'em real hard in the face like POW!"
"Gosh, I really-"
"Don't forget to show those dragons how we ponies party~"
"That's great, but I really think-"
"I sure hope Spike won't cause too much trouble for you."
"Hello?!?" an impatient voice called out. "I really think Fluttershy and I should get going. At this rate, it'll be dark before we leave."
The group looked towards the source of the voice and found a very familiar friend. There, not too much taller than any colt or filly, stood Spike. His mulberry scales covered most of his body, save for his light greenish-grey underbelly and his lime green ear tufts. The harlequin green scales that lined his back and the pistachio colored, reptilian eyes on his face displayed his heritage as a dragon, albeit a baby. He stood with his arms folded and tapped his foot, staring at his friends' conversation. 
"Sorry, Spike." The lavender alicorn uttered. "I guess we're just all worried about Fluttershy. After all, dragons and ponies don't exactly get along. Couple that with Fluttershy's fear of them, and it's practically a recipe for disaster."
Squeaking in from the background, the golden pegasus finally uttered her first complete sentence that morning. "Thank you so much for the concern, girls, but I'm sure I'll be just fine. I'm going on this trip to get over my fear of dragons. Besides, I've got Spike to protect me if something happens. Isn't that right?"
"Heh. BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!"
Suddenly a pair of the mares burst into uncontrollable laughter. As they died down, both Applejack and Rainbow Dash met the stone cold glares of everypony around them.
"Are you serious? SPIKE...protecting YOU? You've gotta be joking!"
Agreeing with her rainbow-maned friend, the orange farm mare chimed in. "Don't git me wrong Spike, ya help out a lot, but ya ain't exactly the brave type, ya know? Why jus' the other day, you struggled gettin' outta Sweetie Belle's magic headlock. That filly couldn't even lift an apple wit' that horn o' hers. . . . . No offense, Rarity."
"None taken."
"Grrrrr." Balling his claw into something that resembled a fist, Spike gritted his teeth in contempt. After a moment, he loosened his fist and gave a somewhat level headed response. "Whatever. I'll show you guys. C'mon Fluttershy, we have to get going."
"Okay, Spike." Turning to her friends, the animal loving Fluttershy waved her hoof as she departed. "Goodbye everypony, see you soon."
A unanimous response escaped the mouths of her pony friends. "Goodbye, Fluttershy. Come back soon!"




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After having flown on Fluttershy's back for an hour, Spike finally got the courage to speak. "So," he began, "what made you join me in this year's Great Dragon Migration. I bet it's going to be great and everything, but aren't you afraid of dragons?"
". . ."
"Sorry I asked," Spike quickly blurted out.
". . ."
"So wait until you see the rest of the guys, they're so-"
"-onger," the mare timidly whispered.
"What was that?"
"I want to be stronger."
Spike tilted his head sideways at his friends sudden declaration. "What do you mean?"
"Everypony else is smart, strong, refined, brave, fun, or helpful. Me? I'm just I big scaredy-cat. I joined you so that I can stand up for myself."
"I thought Iron Will taught you that?"
The golden mare shook her head while still maintaining her current pace. "That was being aggressive, not being assertive. It turned me into a real meanie, don't you remember?"
"Oh, right."
"Anyway, I hope to learn how to be brave by facing one of my biggest fears."
"Pinkie's party cannon?"
"Hehehe, I don't think I'm ready for that just yet."
Both sharing a hearty laugh, they stared out into the horizon. There, where Celestia's sun met the land, a series of volcanic mountains stood. Their brown, rocky surface vastly contrasted the grassy hills leading to it. Large roars emanated from the center volcano, causing the golden pegasus to tense up and begin a swift descent. The only thing left for the dragon-pegasus pair to do was to walk the rest of the way on foot.