Chapter 10
After you had finished 'training' the ponies, as it was really just to get them to a point of moderate hope for survival, you led them back to the camp for dinner. Though, with what you were used to eating, it could hardly be called as such. Grilled vegetables, steamed vegetables, and raw vegetables and fruits. Wonderful. It's not like you were complaining, you've made due on far less, but would it kill them to have some fried salmon? Actually, given that they were herbivores, it just might. But all of this was besides the point, as the real concern was how well they had done in training.
"Alright everyo- er, everypony, listen up." You spoke with a tone of mock anger and disappointment, attempting to build to one of your favorite types of jokes. They all turned to you, some with looks of confusion, others with mild fear. "I took a look at what each and every one of you did out there today, and I must admit myself..." Pause for dramatic effect, "Highly pleased with how well you did! Not only did you show considerable levels of proficiency with your particular weapons, but you did so with only two days of training. I do believe you ready to take on a few dragons."
Their previous faces of confusion melted away, some turning to annoyance, others to laughter in the case of Rainbow Dash and Pinkie. You figured they would be able to appreciate you joke. They seemed like the ones who enjoyed pulling a few themselves every now and again. You joined in laughter with them, but quieted down when Twilight spoke up.
"Well J'Dagna, I'm glad you think us ready, but are you sure? I mean we have only been training for two days, and I highly doubt we're prepared to fight against dragons for our lives."
"I'm sure Twilight," you responded, a small smile on your face. "Though it would be in your best interest to remember, I didn't train you so you could go rushing in with me, taking on several dragons at once alone. I trained you that, through your combined efforts, you might be able to hold your own should one of them attack you instead of me."
"Wait a minute!" Rainbow Dash... of course she would object. "You mean to tell me you trained just in case we might have to fight some dragons? I was looking forward to kicking some scaled butt!"
"That is what I'm telling you Rainbow. Believe me when I say, a dragon is far tougher than you are. You alone could not defeat one, not without great injury, and a great deal of luck."
"A dragon, tougher than me? Psh, yeah right. I bet I could take one. I mean, how hard could it be?"
"Believe me when I tell you, you don't want to find out. They breath fire hot enough to melt iron, with claws like razors, and scales thick enough to turn even the mightiest of blows. Trust me on this one Rainbow Dash, and try to look past your own veil of boasting. Fighting a dragon by yourself will do nothing but get you killed." She just stared at you after that, hovering in the air, trying to decide what to say. Finally, she settled for simply sitting down and finishing her food. You looked to the rest of them seated around the camp fire. "The same goes for all of you. Do not try to fight a dragon alone. I don't want to have to tell your princesses that I am only returning with five ponies because the sixth was eaten, squashed, or burned."
The fear in their eyes told you that you had perhaps gone a bit too far, but you didn't really care. They needed to hear the truth, no matter how gruesome it may be. Perhaps their fear would keep them alive. That was a good a chance as any, you decided, and it was far better than no chance at all.
"Hurry and finish your meals, and rest up. We leave for the mountains in the morning."
__________
Once again you rose with the sun, accustomed to being able to sleep for the exact amount of time you felt necessary. At least down to the hour anyways. Half or quarter-hour resting periods seemed to elude you for one reason or another, but that was of no consequence. Today you and your entourage were to set out for the mountains in hopes of finding Alduin. I still can't believe he still lives... and I find him here no less. You sighed inwardly and rose from your makeshift bed. That bed being a particularly comfortable patch of leaves on the ground. An uncomfortable sleep was better than no sleep however, and you felt better for having gotten some rest. You stood fully now and stretched, a series of loud pops emanating from your back, neck, and shoulders. Today was going to be tiring if nothing else.
You began to get your belongings gathered as you waited for the ponies to awaken. Hopefully they didn't sleep for much longer, as you were ready to get moving. If push came to shove you could always wake them yourself, but letting them sleep for as long as they could would be better for everyone. After you finished getting your things together, which didn't take long, as you don't have much you keep with you, you decided now would be a good time for breakfast. You looked around and noted that all the ponies were still sleeping peacefully, and the fire was still smoldering. After only a moments thought, the fire was re-lit with a fireball from your hand, and a salmon steak was pulled from your bag and thrown on the fire. Hopefully the smell wouldn't wake the ponies, but even if it did you reckoned you could talk your way out of the situation. You sat down and began tending to your food, shifting it this way, moving it that with your emergency ebony dagger. A quick flip and the process was repeated. The fish was nearly done when the pony who was likely to be the least understanding yawns, and sits up. Fluttershy.
She gets on all fours, slowly and drunkenly walks over, sits next to you, and looks at you with nearly closed eyes. her nose crinkles, she looks at the fire and your breakfast, and you can't help but follow her gaze. Noticing the food is done, you pull it off the fire and set it on a wooden plate you keep with you. Not having a fork or anything, you settle for cutting the steaming fish with your dagger, and using your claws as a fork. You bring the amazing looking (and smelling) fish to your watering mouth to take a bite. just before your jaws close on the salmon however, Fluttershy mumbles something to you.
"Misser J'Dagna.. was- *yawn* wassat?" You lower your meal and look at her. Alright... play it off like it's nothing.
"My breakfast. I awoke early and got packed, so I figured I would eat." Please don't press the issue, PLEASE don't press the issue...
"Smells mgood... can have some?" You can tell she has no clue as to what's going on. She may even be sleepwalking.
"Uh... I'm not so sure that's the best-"
"Aw c'mon. Jus a wittle bite? I swear I wun't ask fer *yawn* any more." Even in this non-cognitive state, she still manages to give you a face you can't say no to, regardless of the no-doubt catastrophic consequences that will come from feeding a pony fish. You relent, against your better judgement, and cut off a small portion of the fish for her. Every part of your brain is screaming at you to stop, but you can't help it. You give her the small bit of fish, and watch as she eats it, making a cute little *om* noise as she does so. She chews happily, completely oblivious to what she's just eaten.
"Thanks misser J'Dagna. Was good... what issit?" Oh no... this is bad.
"Um... fish." No! You idiot, you weren't supposed to tell her that! Bad mouth!
"Oh. Sgood. Y'know I've some little fishies in my pond back home. I didn't know hey were so... good... wait." Oh dear... she's waking up. You can see the realization dawn on her face. By the nine... what have I done?
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH-
*Please stand by, your irregularly scheduled chapter of Dragon Cleansing will return in a moment. Thank you for your patience.*
"Fluttershy I'm sorry! You... you made this face and I couldn't stop myself and I'm so so sorry. Please stop crying. I don't want to cry too... please just... I'll uh, I'll make it up to you! Somehow..." You were trying your best to comfort her. She was curled in a ball next to the fire, crying so loudly that it almost hurt you sensitive ears. This, in turn, made you start to tear up. Imagine, all your years and everything you've encountered and it's a crying yellow pegasus that finally turns on your waterworks. Though this wasn't even the main issue, it was the fact that her scream had woken up all the other ponies, who were now rushing over to investigate. Twilight got to you first, and before she could ask any questions, she saw the plate of fish and had already begun to piece together what the problem was.
"Oh no... Fluttershy. It's okay, shh. You knew J'Dagna was a carnivore. You feed some of your animals at home meat, why is this any different?" Well... maybe she didn't figure out the WHOLE thing. Regardless, Fluttershy wasn't talking, so you had to.
"Um... Twilight?" She looked over at you, nothing but concern on her face. "Can we talk... i-in private? Please?" Confusion now. She simply nods, and you lead her away a bit to be out of earshot of the others.
"J'dagna, listen, you don't need to feel guilty or anything. I honestly have no idea why this is getting to her so badly. Like I said, she-"
"I know what the real issue is." She stops and looks at you, confused yet again.
"Um... what real issue?"
"Well.. she was asleep, sort of. She came over to me and asked what I was doing. I told her I was eating breakfast, and she asked if she could try some. I tried to resist at first but... that face. Those eyes. I couldn't stop myself." The confusion remained.
"What are you talking abou-oh. Oh no. Oh no no no nononononononononono! What were you... how did... why would you... GAH!"
"I'm so sorry! Like I said she made this face and before I could even consider trying to think about stopping myself she had already eaten some and then I told her what it was without thinking and she woke up and she realized what just happened and then she screamed and then you came out and now we're here and I'm so sorry-y-y!!!"
"I... look, it was clearly an accident, so let's try and move past this. I'll forgive you, but it's Fluttershy who you really need to talk to. You didn't give her much did you?"
"No, just a small piece. I don't suppose her liking it helps at all does it?" You only got a glare in response.
"No. It doesn't. Now go over there and explain things to her. I have to let the girls know what happened and try to keep Rainbow from killing you. Those two may as well be sisters they way Dash takes care of her. Or maybe it's something more, but that's not important right now. What IS important is that Flutters gets talked to. By you. try not to make her cry again." You merely nod, and head back to camp, Twilight right behind you.
"Girls," at Twilights voice, the other four ponies turned and looked at her, then you, then back to her. " Come with me. J'Dagna needs to speak to Fluttershy, and I need to speak with you. Rainbow, hear me out till the end, got it?"
"Uh... sure thing Twi, but whats going on?" Twilight remained silent, and just walked back to where you and her just talked. The four mares trot past you, and you walk over to Fluttershy. You kneel down beside her, and lightly pet her head. Why? Because it just feels right.
"Listen, Fluttershy, I-"
"Are they gone?" She interrupts you, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Sorry?"
"My friends... are they gone?"
"Um... yes. Why?" She gets up and sighs in... relief? What in the name of Akatosh...
"Oh good. I wasn't sure how much longer I could keep that fake crying routine up. Listen, you can't tell any of them that this is how this conversation went, okay? They can't know that I actually really LOVE eating fish. I keep it a secret because it would just break their hearts, and I am the element of kindness after all. So... wanna split the rest?" What. The. Fu-
"HE DID WHAT?!" That'll be Rainbow Dash. You turn around, only to have your face be met with a blue hoof traveling close to the speed of sound. Of course, you black out. Wouldn't be the first time. You just hope this time you don't wake up in a shed in the middle of nowhere with the lives of three people in your hands. That one time was enough.
4643102 Yep. It's the name of the Khajiit homeland. Though I think that jab of his was at Bethesda, not me.
This chapter makes as much sense as it doesn't.
4643696 Exactly
Aaaaaaaand I'm out of here.
4645125 No wait come back
4646790
Sorry, I kept with this story despite protests from myself, but now you've gone and done this to Fluttershy
i like it. Pegasi eating some fish isnt uncommon(in the myths and everything) but turning her into this : FAKE CRYING ROUTINE. is kinda a thing needed to be fixed. is ooc. if you turn it around and fix it where she say 'oh..its..not uncommon for pegasi to eat fish..but please dont give me anymore' or something along those lines would be a bit better..
4643290 horray for Elsweyr!! The grand land of warm sands.
4649320 I realize it's ooc. This was done on purpose. And besides, it was more of a 'for the lols' chapter anyway. The way I play this off may not make it better per say, and its going to be cliche as I could possibly get... but, eh. Anyways, thanks for the feedback. It let's me know if my goofy antics are well received or not.
(Besides, who's to say Fluttershy DOESN'T eat fish off-camera. They say it's the quiet ones you have to watch out for)
PS. If your sanity is optional, watch shed.mov*. This is nothing compared to that.
*Viewer discretion is advised.
4648577
4649582
Wow, first dislike I've ever gotten on a comment
4649875 oh youre welcome for that
better be honest than having someone take the blame for doing nothing wrong.
4650688
I wasn't blaming him, I was giving feedback on what I thought about the story. Some authors appreciate that feedback so they can improve.
4652104 ah. well looks can be deceiving.
looks like blame when someone is without context.
4652644
Oh you mean that?
I was just saying that, because someone disliked my comment (I thought it was you)
4654003
4650688 Now now fellas... no fighting. Yell at me if anybody. remember, I'm the root of all conflicts here, so I'm always to blame.
4654003 twas me. i meant it seemed like blame because you said that and had it replying to the author. i disliked your earlier comment because you were leaving for an ooc moment. i dont like it either but i shall carry on..still think the flutters eating the fish and then faking everything is quite out of place and bad tho (looking at you author!)
4654026 i dont feel like were fighting. more like having a heated conversation. also only disliked his/her comment because of leaving for an ooc moment. i have to agree the ooc moment is kinda off putting tho. would be nice if it was a dream if you were going for a joke or if you toned her down and replaced her saying fake crying and a bit of that with something else if youre going for a certain storyline idea.
4654140 Funny you should mention a dream. I think you (J'Dagna) will find that drinking a certain drink, that is a particular favorite of Khajiit, before bed is a bad idea.
Don't spoil anything now, you seem like the guy to get this, but no revealing anything to people who won't.
4654068
I'm strong in my sense of keeping Fluttershy innocent. No matter what I write on this site I try to keep Fluttershy safe
quickmeme.com/img/56/566d59ac07afba43e8a3368531f792146910b0e790e03267926cfbc75aaea10b.jpg
stream1.gifsoup.com/view6/3583015/wtf-made-fluttershy-cry-o.gif
4654026
We're not fighting, we're having a civilized conversation over tea and crumpets
4654458 Of course, of course. Merely preventative maintenance you see. Don't want anything getting out of hand.
Wow… I had no idea this chapter was uploaded.
Well I was in London!
For like two days!
Shut up, there where also the exa-
Yea… I should check stories more often
…And into a mental institute
Quiet, Nigel!
-Lightning \[T]/
4710575 Well I don't upload all that often, so it's understandable. Sorry bout that...
So... how was Tea and Crumpet town? (If anybody reading this is British, or from the UK, please don't be offended. British people are really cool... I can just be insensitive about when I make stereotype jokes.)
Also... about the mental hospital thing? Yeah, don't worry about it. I welcome insanity with open arms. Discord is my favorite male character, second favorite villain (Tirek being first), and third favorite character overall. Being trumped by Luna and a tie at second for Vinyl and Pinkie Pie.
Hey! I didn't know I was your top three!
Well you've been in my house for the past year and a half. It's hard not to get to know you.
Touche
4713163
I'm from the county of Yorkshire in the land of rain and crumpets.
… so, how is the Aloominum and the wrong side of the road? (that is if you are a 'Murican)
The only reason it's the wrong side is because the Romans, originol creators of the road steered horses on the left side of the road.
Also I cannot wait fot the antagonist to say he is a vampire! (it's been hinted because of the mention of the dog only vampires can have)
-Lightning \[T]/
4714410 Didn't know that about Rome. Learn something new everyday. But yeah, I'm in the states. Texas to be precise. Though I'm not actually from Texas. I was born in Louisiana. Lived there for 12 years. Before you ask, no, I don't have an accent. From either state. I can mimic them, but I don't talk with one normally. Y'know, come to think of it, there are a lot of accent I can mimic, provided the accent is a thick one.
This story is very very interesting i had some parts where i didnt know where this was going
stop acting so fancy
Eevee? Whats are you doing up so late?
What are you doing up at 12:30? You have school tomorrow
Me:Where is this going?
Stahp!
Now this part suprized me.
HEY!
Oh, I have a great opening for the next chapter!
-Lightning \[T]/
5328967 That would be really funny actually. I already have the intro written, but I think I'm going to find some way to throw that hagraven joke in there. credit will be given, I assure you. thanks.
6454768 That cat looks a bit blazed.