> The Dragon King's Rebirth
>  by Sipioc
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1 Zerileth
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ash rained down like snow, collecting on the ground only to be whisked away with the waves of heated air that rose from your volcanic stronghold, of Zerileth.  It was a dragon word, meaning "the core". Legend told that the first dragon emerged from this very fiery pit countless millennia ago, long even before you were hatched, and you were by no means young.  

For twelve and a half hundred years, you have strode this world, for that long you have burned what you pleased, killed what you pleased and done as you pleased.  You prided yourself in being the biggest, ferocious, and most feared, of any dragon, even among your own kind.  Claiming this summit as your own by, "dispatching", of it's previous tenant, has given you pull over all dragons, going so far as proclaiming yourself the "Dragon King".

Many had come to challenge you for the grand landmark, but all fell before your unstoppable might, this is where things may have gone wrong for you.  When no further challengers came, boredom set in.  It began slowly, but your own ego and primal need for conflict led you to lands far from 'the core'.  Namely, those ruled by the Goddesses of the sky. 

Long had the Alicorns of Day and Night put a damper on the world once ruled by your kind.  Their shear power moved the heavens themselves and they had long shepherded their people to lands far from the ash and dust of your domain.  Leaving dragons for the most part alone, but slaying those who dare encroach upon their lands.

Still, what did you have to fear?  You were King of all dragons, and despite there great power they were flesh and blood 'ponies'.  That was the word they used to describe themselves, not that you cared.  They were soft, fragile, weak. Those were words you used to describe them. Their flesh burned, their bones cracked, and they needed to be reminded of who ruled this world long before they arrived, and you could be that reminder.

The first city, if one could call it that, was a small assortment of huts and primitive stone structures held together by thatched straw and stone mortar. A simple yet tall stone castle stood at its center where soldiers in gleaming gold armor stood stock and still ready for anything. Practically daring you to attack.

You came as the sun was setting, your sharp eyes could see the scrambling equines move about the town. Desperate to stand against the inevitable storm that was you.  You grinned in delight at the promise of this diversion.  Already your fire burned brightly within your chest shining through your scales to light up the night sky as you circled the city.  The city was panicked at this point, as screams of terror followed you at every pass.  It was all too easy.
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The morning after, all that remained was a smoking crater of the once large settlement.  Death hung in the air as the few survivors began filing out of the city.  You sat, perched on the remains of a husk of the castle, leering down at the pathetic, trickle of ponies that had survived the night through sheer luck.  Many would look up at you in mute terror, but either fear or exhaustion prevented them from running away. Instead they merely shuffled past, their few possessions carried on their backs and open carts. 

You had thought to finish what you started, and decimate the lot, but the ragged bunch of singed ponies were hardly worth your time now.  So you merely watched, once again the feeling of boredom setting in.  

It was then that you noticed one pony stand out from the rest.   She stood alone, amongst the rubble of the building you gutted out with your breath. She was small, perhaps a youth, a bloodied bandage covered the right side of her face, obscuring one eye.  The remaining orb stared at you intently.  The stare struck you odd, because it lacked the fear all others had shown. Even the proud stallion soldiers here had feared you, even fled before you. But here was this child, staring you down with an expression you could not place.  Granted, your experience of pony expressions was limited to that of delicious terror and futile bravado, this however, was different.

Her eye remained fixed on you, her expression unwavering as you lowered yourself to the ground with a thunderous fwump.  Your massive feet, cracking the stones beneath you with a satisfying crunch as you took a closer look at her.  You came within a few feet from her as you examined this lowly wretch.  

She was smaller than the claw on your smallest talon, a horn adorned her head, that you knew was used for magic, something that had little to no effect on you regardless of the user. She was bluish grey in color and her mane, though burned now must of been golden in color.   Eating her would yield little to no satiation as she was already skin and bone.

She backed up slightly as you approached but remained fixed on you with that stare. Still you couldn't place it.

"Do you not fear me, small one?" Your voice booms and creaks like the stones beneath your claws.

She jumps slightly at hearing your voice, but remains steadfast in her gaze, remaining silent.

At this point you begin to feel annoyed at her lack of response, either a futile verbal threat or simply running away like you expected. You play with idea of merely stepping on her in preparation to return home, until you hear a voice as soft as the smoke seeping over the hot embers surrounding you both.

"W-why did you do this?"

Your keen sense of hearing picks up the feeble words. You grin a most horrible grin, if you do say so yourself.

"Why not?" Your voice booms once again, punctuating it by giving a cruel chuckle.
Her gaze finally falls to the dirt at your feet.  The inexplicable stare falling away as her ashen mane drapes in front of her face, obscuring her expression from view.

What she says next, slices through your scaled hide in a way you didn't expect.

Her voice is softer than before, but at this distance, her words come clear to you.

"You must be so lonely. I pity you."

For a moment, all around you stops.  Your eyes widen at those soft words and their implication.

Was that the look she was giving you? Pity?  She would dare pity you? You who where the most feared creature in all the land. You who had laid waste to all who opposed you.  You who feared no one , needed no one, and she a lowly, insignificant ball of fluff, would look at your grandeur with pity!?

Before, you can voice any protest in the form of teeth or flame, you find yourself alone in the rubble.  The young filly has gone, and you are left with her words echoing in your head, nagging at you.  Within your frustration you whip your massive spiked tail into the smoldering ruins of your stoney perch, completing the look of desolation to the ready picturesque scene of your handy work.  This rewards you with no screams or cries from the feeble ponies still filing out the charred gates.  Briefly you scan the crowd to try and pick the young pony out, however they all look the bloody and ashen same!

With a growl you take to the sky, and circle through the plume of smoke.  You head toward Zerileth, for a rest, your once glorious mood soured by the whispered words of one anonymous pony child.  Why is this bothering you? You wonder as you reach the cold air about the clouds.

Shaking off this feeling, you turn away from home and head for the next village, the day was young and you had more to burn.

That was how you were undone,  after the third city you had gained the attention, and likewise wrath of the Celestial Sisters.  A great battle ensued, one you were most proud to say, had you in the position of being the victor for a time. However, their magic was powerful, and though they couldn't use it on you directly, their knowledge and talent would result in your downfall to the blow of a falling star, or rather rock, from the heavens beyond.

Your final moments within that life were spent falling to the earth. Bloodied, rage filled, and swearing vengeance until all went black.

It is a commonly held belief among many sentient races that one's life flashes before ones eyes when they die. This was not the case for you, least not entirely. Though your world was black, you could still feel, still hear, and out of all the countless curses and pleas that had been hurled at you throughout your millennials of life, one thing was present in its nagging and constant perpetually.

"You must be so lonely. I pity you."

What followed next was to strange too describe in words.

From darkness, sensation returned.   It was warm and wet, sound was muffled but voices could be heard.  Soon the darkness ebbed and light shone upon you once more. However this world was blurred and cold, you felt yourself tense and shiver from the sudden temperature change.

You let out a savage roar at the discomfort only to hear a pathetic squawk of a cry come from you.  The world remains confusing as you feel....hooves cradle your neck and strangely shortened backside.

A clear voice, exhausted and haggard, yet strangely soothing, cuts through the confusion of what is happening.

"Sparks? Sparks is that the foal? Is it ok?"

Another voice, tired and nervous, but equally welling with emotion, speaks

"Yes! Yes Cozy! It's a colt! Ain't he a handsome thing? Gets that from his daddy!"

You feel yourself enveloped within a warm cloth and gently placed against the soft and sweaty fur of another.  You feel confused by the whole ordeal and bellow out another mighty roar, like you had countless times on your mighty mountain hold, only for another pitiful combination of a whinny and a squeal to escape you.   

"Oh Sparks!" the female voice said again, her voice breaking in a way you had never heard before.  "He's beautiful."    

Your eyes stubbornly refused to focus but you forced all your intensity on seeing what was before you.  You gazed intently at the source of the voices to make out the clear faces of two ponies; a mare and a stallion who gazed upon you in awe; and not the kind you were at all accustomed too. 

You didn't like it at all, how dare they stare at you like that! You raised your claws to permanently  scrape the look from their faces only to find a pair of scrawny hooves taking the place of your once grand talons.

"What in the infernal pits it going on!?"
> Chapter 2 Punishment
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 2  Punishment

The small colt stared into the face of the beast.  It blinked as he did, it breathed as he did.  The two were different as could be; one a young earth pony, small for his age, approaching adolescence, his flank unadorned.  The other was a massive dragon, ancient, battle worn, with horns protruding from its head forming a terrible crown of bone, it's razor sharp teeth were formed in a terrible scowl that was shared by the colt.

Anyone else looking at the scene would see a pony, sitting in the darkened school nurse's office, looking at himself in the mirror, his reflection showing him what all the world saw.  Not for you though.  You saw what you were, what you had lost.  The power, the savagery, and the fear it invoked more than a millennium ago.

You winced slightly, as the large welt under your eye began to throb again.  A token, given to you by one of the many school bullies that saw fit to make your current living situation difficult.  You pushed back the pain; ignored it.  After all it was nothing compared to your damaged pride.  It had taken many hits, and not just today.  This was not your first fight you lost, far from it.  You lost nearly all of them.  

You hadn't even done anything this time, minding your own business even.  You learned long ago not to draw attention to yourself.  Still, your small size and "unique" personality often kept you out of groups of friends ponies had, thus allowing you to be picked off by those looking for "easy prey".

"Dragons and ponies aren't all that different in that way."  You say to yourself allowing a smirk at your own misfortune, wincing yet again, as the swollen part of your face stretched slightly from your moment of levity.

You were not blind to the irony in all of this, it was practically slapping you across the face on a daily basis.  You had spent your previous life an apex predator; strong, solitary, and merciless, only to be now thrown into the life where you were at the mercy of practically everyone; and there wasn't a fire spewing thing you could do about it.

"Cursed Alicorns." You mutter to yourself, the beast in the mirror mimicking you, beat for beat.  

It was that addition to the whole situation; being able to see the form you once had but being unable to utilize it, that was particularly cruel.  This was punishment, and you knew it, Tartarus, you had even come to realize you probably deserved it.  Still you hated the Alicorns for doing this to you, you hated the bullies that tormented you, the teachers and who tried to "sympathize" with you,  the stupid children who ostracized you.  Quite frankly, you hated everything right now and the constant burning your eye gave off wasn't helping.  

Still through it all, the degradation, pain, and the insult, you would never cry nor give in to this life. You refused to.  You would never outwardly accept being the sniveling little fur ball you had the appearance of, even in your worse moments of despair.  No doubt the Sisters were watching you, self righteous in there judgment, and accepting your fate would only prove to make you a further joke to them.  

"Never."  You vow with the mirror.  "I am the Dragon King, and as such I will never break."

A voice on the other side of the door breaks your personal blood oath with the mirror.  The door that leads to the school office opens, and in steps one of the few ponies that you don't mind being around.

"Flint?"  The stallion pegasus says gently,  calling you by the name he gave you on the day your "rebirth".  Your back is to him but you hear his hoof steps approach you.  You cast your eyes to the floor beneath you even though you feel no guilt. 

'After all, I'm not guilty of anything.. this time.'  You think bitterly. 'Still, I know what I'll see if I looked in his face.'

He comes up to you and you can feel him look you up and down, his eyes, and expression falling on the welt under your eye and the few scraps on your forelegs.

His mood then shifts from one of worry to another of compassion,  both you expected and neither of which you particularly like.  

"Hey buddy." He says, sitting on his haunches in front of you.  

Your eyes remain fixed on the ground, your face in your usual scowl.

"You look a little rough. You ok?"  He says leaning closer.

You merely nod.  'I've had worse' you think to yourself 'and not just as a dragon.'  Sour memories bubble to the surface, only fouling your mood further.  Still you remain silent, your expression fixed.

"I talked to Ms. Kinder Hearts," he starts "She told me what happened."

You remain quiet, but your gaze now shifts off the floor to the direction of the mirror again.

"Do you wanna talk about it?"

"Do I ever?" You snap bluntly. You eyes meet with your "father's".

His eyes regard your own, flickering from one to the other, as if he's looking for something in the orbs that share the same color as his.  Then with a sigh he smiles "Well, someday you might."  

Your gaze returns to the mirror looking at the same scene transpire through the reflective glass. You had seen it many times before, but it always struck as a farce watching the pegasus stallion doting on the scowling dragon, as if it were his own flesh and blood.  

'As close as he is sitting, all it would've taken was a quick lunge and...no...'  A hoof on your shoulder shakes you out of your thoughts.

"Come on, let's go."

Without a word, you push off the bed and place your four hooves on the polished linoleum floor.  You take one last glance at the mirror, the proud features of the dragon mocking you as you look down at your current form, your penance form.

'There was a time where this sight would drive me mad.' Recalling the "fits" you had when you were a small... well, a younger foal.  The doctors would tell your parents it was colic or merely a quirk that would be outgrown.

'They weren't altogether wrong.'  You admitted, you did no longer react so violently to this anymore.  Accept it? No. Wallow in it, seldom.

You do what you have always done, endure it alone.  You continued for the door, placing one hoof in front of the other.  You pull the door open and step out into the world beyond, the stallion following close behind you.

----------------

You both step out of the gates of your school on to the bustling streets of Manehatten. Your face, sporting a stylish band aid with a football on it that you had gotten from the elderly school nurse.

'It was either that or a Wonderbolts one, and I doubt she would have liked my suggestion on where she should put it.'  You thought ruefully, still, you had been in enough trouble for one day you decided.

Ponies of every color and race were going about their own affairs as you both made your way down the sidewalk.  Some glided through the air on their wings, most walked, a few among them carried various items within telekinetic aura emitted from their horns.  Admittedly you envied the other pony races.

'Had I been born a unicorn, I may have been able to reverse this curse, or at least hone my skills and learn powerful magic, or at least have something to stab unruly curs with'. 

You thought back to particular instance where a young drake had challenged your title and wound up adorning your spiny crown for a few, heart-stopping moments.  You returned to the present day, craning your eyes to the sky, watching the various feathered ponies soar in the urban updraft.

'Wings wouldn't have been that bad either, at least then I would have some semblance to my old           life.' 

You remembered flying fondly, one of the few things you did that didn't involve violence or death, at least not directly.

Your thoughts were interrupted by a quick galloping courier pony who dashed in front of you nearly toppling you over without so much as looking back.

"Bloody hate this city."  You gripe under your breath, your face further contorting.  

The busy streets and crowds only further served as a reminder you how insignificant and small you were.  Sensing your apprehension, your companion stepped closer so that he could walk directly next to you so others would, in turn, see you.  You hated the necessity of it, but...appreciated the act.

Despite the near miss and the crowded sidewalk the fresh air felt good and the walk allowed you to clear your head.

"Come on, stop moping." Said the cheery voice of the pegasus at your side.

"I am not moping." You say.  'I was starting to feel better, actually, now I'm full circle and irritated again.' You think to yourself, pulling slightly away from the winged paternity figure.

"Then smile! It's a beautiful day, your out with yer ol' dad. What mischief can us two colts get up to?" He said chipperly. giving you a playful nudge as the two of you stopped at a crosswalk to let a bright yellow taxi cart pass.

'Great he's doing the whole 'you don't have friends, so I will be your friend' routine.' 

He had done it to you many times.  Most of the time you would humor him and just go along with it, be it a hoof race home or...

With a jolt you found yourself hoisted off the ground by the stallion's forelegs, grabbing you across the midsection.

'Oh! You better not be hugging me...' You fume to yourself as you clench your teeth and attempt to turn and face your captor, only for the ground begin to leave you both.

"No! No! No!" You command angrily, kicking your back legs in protest, despite the fact that you were now thirty feet in the air.

"Come on 'grouchy colt', this always cheers you up!"  He said with a smile in his voice as his wings flapped bringing you higher in the cityscape.

You relented and narrowed your eyes, rethinking a scenario from before, involving him standing so close to a hungry dragon's mouth.

You look down at the ponies still moving about the streets below.  Your new vantage allows you to take the city bustle in fully.  You both pass various stores, showing off their 'posh' fashion window displays geared toward their pegasus clientele who would see them from here, luring them in to spend their hard earned bits on a few pieces of marked up cloth.

'All flourish and color, no practical use, no armor, no way to even keep warm.' You roll your eyes at the whole ridiculousness of it all.

It's all so pointless.' Your think to yourself, now taking the city in as a whole. 

'In a thousand years... even a hundred, whose gonna care about all those things they are doing?'

You two are now soaring at a good clip, weaving to and fro through the air.  You hadn't noticed but you had relaxed greatly, even your face now resembled a neutral look instead of a scowl.  The noise of the streets below was still present, but much more muted allowing you both for greater serenity; quite literally, above it all.

You turn your head in time as you two pass a tall building made of glass.  Upon seeing the ridiculous reflection, you can't help but laugh out loud at the sight only your eyes can see.

"Feel better?"  The knowing voice of the Pegasus who called himself your father said.

Realizing your momentary slip, you right yourself.

"Yeah, sure." You say nonchalantly

"Good."  He says, holding you a little tighter, making sure he didn't drop you, and nothing else.

After a moment he spoke again.  "Let's go visit your mom at work, I'm sure she would like to see us."

"I'm not in a position to argue." You quip as he chuckles and turns his wings towards the east and another series of buildings.

From the highest point of your flight you regard the city.

'It's been over a thousand years, it's bigger, and more built up, but it still feels the same when I flew over myself.'  Your thoughts go to that last day, the fire, the rubble, the young mare, your fall.

The scowl returns to your face and you remain silent for the remainder of the flight.
> Chapter 3 Cozy and Sparks
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 3 

Cozy and Sparks

You both touched down at the Pegasus entrance of a large office building.  Couriers and workers filed past you and your winged parent.  Their own wings fluttering in the open air as they took off, a few stray feathers littering the ground in a multi-hued collection of airy down.

The two of you stepped inside and made your way to a large desk that had the logo "Stable Realty."   Behind it sat a young mare unicorn who was at the time filing,...her hooves, as a large stack of papers currently occupied the majority of her desk.  She was chewing, what you hoped was gum, in a rather obnoxious manner, her smacking and popping being the only sound for a solid minute, before your "father" finally made your presence known.

"Hello?"

The mare peered over the stack of file folders and greeted him with a warm smile.  Her youthful features were belied by the amount of make-up she wore, which reminded you of the Zebrakan tribal warriors you had read about in school.

"Oh, hello Sparks." She said shooting him a grin, her tone having becoming, oddly breathy, as she said his name.  

"Hey... there... Ms.Violet.  My son... Our son! Mine and my wife I mean, of course." He said stumbling through the words, his usual confident heir strangely abandoned.  "F-Flint and I are here to see Cozy, my wife! Who I love!" He said, noticeably shifting uncomfortably on his forelegs and needlessly pushing you forward.

"What's wrong with you?" You whispered up to him, giving an annoyed look at the stallion who was now inexplicably sweating. 

The purple maned unicorn's expression fell a little, then looked at you.  She gave you a gaze of what was either contempt or disgust.  You could share that sentiment towards her.

"Hey, little guy here to see your Momma?"  She said, awkwardly trying to sound sweet but just coming off condescending. 

"Go buck yourself." Is what you wanted to say.  Instead you settled for remaining quiet giving a equally condescending smile that could be mistaken for eagerness...if you were stupid,... or her, apparently, as she smiled a little wider turning her head sideways in a way that made you want to—again, you held back.

Long ago you had been told to curb your spite towards others; and by others that included:
your parents, their colleagues, bosses,  and friends,  your teachers, school officials, classmates, neighbors, public officials, the royalty (that was open as far as you were concerned.), military personnel, celebrities, random ponies on the street, and the crazy mare who lived in an old fridge box and claimed she was the third Celestial sister.  

'It's not like they could do anything to me that I would consider punishment;  the diarchy had that part covered in this life.'  

You concluded that merely 'playing along' afforded you less pointless lecturing and attempts at altering your behavior and more time to yourself, (to brood, mostly.)  

Your eyes just about popped from their sockets when a purple aura proceeded to tug your cheek.

"Aren't you sweet!" She said as if she were talking to a dog, her horn's glow ceased and she patted you on the head to complete the feeling.  Your expression was blank, yet you were seeing red as you began to calmly scan the clutter of her desk for a letter opener or something else nice and sharp.  

When you didn't respond, and merely looked at her nail file with... 'unusual glee', she merely sat back down, and blew a large bubble while mindlessly messing with her long violet mane while looking at the nervous looking pegasus behind you.

"-Pop- She is in a meeting right now, you can wait here if you like." 

"NO!!" He said very abruptly, shrilly even, catching both her and you off guard; but also providing a good distraction from what you just did.  He then righted himself, "I mean. Naw that's ok, we will just wait in her office till she is done, can't be too long." He said nonchalantly trying to regain some reticence from his weird behavior up to now.

"-smack- -smack- You can, but it won't be her office for long, if what I heard is true."  She replied snidely

"What?" Sparks question, speaking your mind as well.

"Nothin', go on ahead." She waved you two up the stairs.  

The purple maned mare was set on returning to her hoof care, only to find the file was gone. Violet stood and began to walk to the other side of the desk, frantic to find the....SSSHHHLLICKT!

The sound of hair being severed caused her to freeze.  She looked back in horror to see what 'she' had done.  Her once beautiful tail locks now lay amputated inches away from her cushion, a nail file embedded vertically in the floor had initially cut the hair and her movement to the left had finished it.   She felt like she could faint, and faint she did.

-----------------

The sound of a body lightly thumping to the floor behind you gave you cause to grin.

'Centuries of stalking big dumb animals, is not so easily forgotten.'  You thought to yourself permitting your grin to widen.  It also helped they you were small and unassuming, but right now you were feeling too good to let your size bring you down.  It was a small victory, with little to no lasting reward, but in that moment, you were king again.

"I wonder if she is really that lazy or just that dumb when she was given those mess of papers."You said nonchalantly, more as a ruse to cover your now beaming smile.

When no answer came you looked to your right.

'There is no way he saw me do it.' You looked over at Sparks, expecting to see him give you a stern disapproving look that was intended to cow you into feeling remorse.  

Instead you noticed right away that your parent was noticeably still tense about the ordeal, you thought you knew why, so you chose to draw it out into the open.  

"What do you..."

"Nothing happened!" 

He interrupted you abruptly.  You looked at him, slightly off put by the outburst.  At first, he refused to meet your gaze, his face beat red.

"What?" You responded confused.

"From the back she looked like your mother!" He rambled frantically.

At first you remained confused, but then after reviewing how he was acting and what he just said you were able to get the gist.

"Ok I can guess where this is heading and..." You attempted to cut him off, only to be cut yourself.

"I only noticed my mistake after I had given her a little smack on the flank, you know? Like I do at home? I think Violet got the wrong idea, even though I explained it was an accident."

In response you crinkled your nose and stuck out your tongue in a wretch, your treacherous brain automatically bringing every witnessed instance of Cozy and Sparks administering playful nibbles to one another that lead to whispered conversations, giggling, followed by awkward glances as your entered the room, embraces that lasted a little too long, and ....kissing.

This chain of thoughts caused you to physically shudder and let out a 'gaging' nose.  The idea of such sentiment had always made you cringe.  Some could chalk that up to you being a pre-adolescent colt, while you knew that was merely a happenstance of the truth.

'Never had a female of my own, never wanted one. Still don't.'  You thought, squirming.  You looked the still beat red stallion up and down.

'I will never understand ponies' need for physical intimacy,'. You had seen the film strip in school that tried to explain it, as a result you didn't sleep for three days.  Dragons, you recalled, had similar traditions, but they lacked the documentation to make it truly scarring.

You physically had to shake those images from your mind.  You further steeled yourself and looked back at the poor pegasus to your right who seemed to be waiting for you to respond;  apparently, your input on the matter was important to him.

"Look, I don't really care about... that." You said, blocking the thoughts that threatened to 'dry heave' back to forefront of your mind. "But, I can assure you she doesn't look the same now." You added, a chuckle slipping past your teeth.

As Sparks narrowed his eyes in confusion you swiftly changed the subject back to your initial conclusion.

"I was actually gonna ask you what do you think she meant by 'that won't be her office for long'?"  You said to him plainly, his expression changed and his eyes grew clearer as he too pondered those cryptic words.

Ultimately he merely straightened himself up, coughed into his hoof (for some reason), and looked away from you.  

"Oh...uh...don't know.  Your mom was handling a big account for her boss so maybe it has something to do with that."  By the end of the speculation his complexion and tone had returned to normal.

"Okay." You said rounding the hall toward a modest office with the name 'Cozy Homes, Assistant Manager".  

You again looked at the stallion to your side.  He met your gaze.  After a moment you let out a exasperated breath and looked away from him.

"Heh heh. Got an earful on that one? Yeah, sorry about that." He chuckled, blushing only slightly now as you made your way into your "mother's" office.

------------------

You sat in the office cushion at the desk, everything was neat and tidy, a few loose papers sat on the left side of the desk, but a cursory glance let you know it was nothing confidential or even remotely interesting.  

Nearest to the seat were several family photos of which you were apart of.  Much like your reflection all you saw was the dragon you once were, which made them all the more ridiculous. A picture of you as a foal, sitting upright on the living room rug had a different view to you; as the monster lizard sat on its haunches glaring at the camera, a bright blue pacifier held tight in pencil long teeth.  Another picture showed the three of you at the beach, your parents standing on either side of the large firedrake who wore tiny water wings around its massive arms with a copious layer of un-rubbed in sun screen on its scales.

You admitted that your relationship with these two was...complicated.  On the one hand they were a constant reminder of your current purgatory, yet despite your restlessness you couldn't bring yourself to hate them.  All they had ever done was try to be there for you, feed you when your body was too feeble to do so yourself, comfort you when you were in pain or discomfort, even though you never asked them too.  Considering your dragon parents were not at all apart of your original life, you were new to the whole nurturing of one's progeny.

'They are...tolerable.' you admitted to yourself as you regarded the pegasus before you, happily chewing on some candy he had taken from the dish on the desk while reading an electronics  magazine Cozy had around the office to occupy her clientele when she was otherwise occupied.

The relationship you had with Sparks Fly was that of mutual understanding.  For all he knew, you were what he thought; his son, and you had no real reason to argue that.  After all, biologically, that was more or less true, you two shared the same eyes and mane color, even facial structure seemed to be a similar facsimile.  For obvious reasons your personalities were different.  He was bubbly and confident, loved to work with his hooves and tinker.  He was an electrician by trade, being able to wire up almost anything from small devices to houses.  The use of electricity was something that you did come to admire about ponies, since you had been gone they had learned to harness the power of their benefactor's star, and use it to make there own lives easier.  Sparks seemed to have just a knack for such things, as expressed by his cutie mark a bluish lightening bolt with a wrench and screwdriver.

Your thoughts briefly drifted to what your cutie mark might be, looking at your back leg and wondering what could go there. You had been told that everyone gets there's eventually, but as to what would go there, if anything, you hadn't a clue.

The door to the office opened and in stepped the pony whose name was written on it.

"Oh!" She said with a start, noticing you both, but regained her composure quickly. "Hello boys!" 

She came into the office fully and allowed the door to close behind her.  Sparks came up to her and gave her a nuzzle which she reciprocated, and you tried to find something more interesting out the window.  These days she wore her vibrant purple mane short in what you were told was a pixie cut.  

'I wondered if the confession Sparks force fed me about "secretary short-flanks" had prompted that change.'  You pondered to yourself;  recalling the over exuberance of Sparks' praise the day she came home with 90% of her mane chopped off, and the daggers she stared at him for, what you thought at the time had been insincerity.  

She was an earth pony, like you, and her coat was the same as yours if not a little brighter due to her gender.  A cutie mark of a simple house with a heart at it's center adorned he flank.

"I've got some great news!" She said beaming, as her gaze fell on you.  "I just got..."  Her voice trailed off, and her expression changed as she looked at you with horror.

"FLINT!" She exclaimed as she looked at the bandaid on your face. The swelling had gone down thanks to the nurse, but for your 'mother' it was as if half your face had been ripped off.

"Baby, what happened to you!?"  In a few steps she was on you, having you constricted in her forelegs, holding you close to her, looking down at the offending football covered blemish.  You were not at all fond of this, 

"It's alright Cozy, he just got into a little scuffle at school with a bigger kid."  Sparks interjected trying not to laugh, knowing full well your dislike of being held. "Mommy's-little-colt is gonna be fine."

'Found a reason to hate you.' You glared at the stallion, who now unsuccessfully stifling full blown laugh.

She held you tighter, she also knew you hated this, but apparently maternal instinct was more powerful then self preservation.  "Aww, my poor little Flinty." She then proceeded to groom your mane, to "sooth you".

'Hate you, hate you both.' You flared in barely hidden rage. Which, went ignored.

After what seemed interminably long, you managed, between licks, to string together a sentence without any obscenities.  "Wasn't...there.... something... you wanted... to tell us?"

Cozy ceased her "soothing", and her smile returned.

"Oh yes! And it seems to have come at the best time."  She loosened her grip on you which you used to wiggle free.  Your fur was matted and still wet with spittle as you attempted to regain a modicum of your dignity.

"The Shores' Account I landed the firm greatly impressed Mr.Stable and the Board of Directors."  Cozy said proudly looking from her bristling son to her husband.  "So much so that they have offered me a managerial position at a new office!"  She practically squeed.

Sparks regarded her with excitement while you were still busy trying to wipe off the remaining traces of another disgusting attribute to pony child rearing.

"The office just opened, and it's in a small town, but lately that area has been booming!" She continued

'Why do they lick their young? Why?'

"The area is a hot bed for trouble it seems, but the ponies there are friendly and welcoming."

'Kissing is bad enough, but then put the tongue into it and it's unbelievably worse.'

"The schools are good, and there is much more wide open space to move around in"

'-Sniff- -sniff- carrots, she had carrots for lunch.  -sniff- Oh fantastic, yogurt too!'

"There are plenty of opportunities for you as an electrician, Sparks, and lots of other fillies and colts for Flint to play with, maybe even make friends with!"

'Next time, just regurgitate on my face, why the buck not? All the vileness of the act, no imagination necessary.

"I'm so excited!  Are you excited Flint?"

"What?!" You practically roared.

Cozy and Sparks were staring at you, smiles on their faces, regarding you with the love only parents do.

"We're moving to Ponyville, son!"

 
> Chapter 4 Welcome to Ponyville
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The massive behemoth of iron and steam, careened at high speed down the tracks, worming its way threw tunnels carved into the very stone that had stood for ages and would stand for more to come.  The clack and rocking of the cars behind the locomotive made a rhythmic knocking that some aboard found soothing. 

You, however, were too sick to notice.  You had found traveling on subway cars in the city that you suffered from a pestilence from the very fiery pit known simply as 'motion sickness'.  Usually, you could cope with short rides or Sparks would merely fly you where you needed to go, which oddly didn't make you sick, and you would both meet Cozy there.

"Like a race!" He would say in his excited manner, adding some levity to the alternative method of travel you felt should be bothersome to him.  Why he would put up with such pathetic weakness on your part was beyond you. Still, there were times when you got into the thrill of getting to the station ahead of the hulking tube of metal seeing the look of surprise on Cozy's face when the doors opened and there you two were; the victors over public transportation.  

This was not possible for this trip, as you all had to travel for an entire nineteen hours on the clacking, nausea inducing contraption of your displeasure.  

"If I ever meet the pony who invented these things, I will disembow-uhhhg." You vowed to yourself under your heavy breath, as another bump in the tracks gave you another rotten feeling of vertigo.

At the moment, your head had remained where it had been since your last, humiliating, mad dash to the lavatories.  Propped on the forelegs of the purple maned mare who called herself your 'mother'.

"Ponies didn't invent trains, bud." Corrected Sparks as he glanced at you over his book. "The swine folk did that."  He said smiling down at you from his seat across the way, a sympathetic look about him.

'I remember the Svine.'  You thought back to your days on Zerileth.  'Their ingenuity and ability to create and forge metal was legendary, even back then.'

This drive for crafting often led them to encroaching on your domain in search of raw materials and rare ore, to which you took pleasure in making it far too costly to continue.

'How clever they were though'. Remembering all the armors and weapons they came up with to ward you off.  'It's only natural that they would come up with something that worked on me eventually.'  Your memories drifted back to past attempts at stopping, even killing you.  All seemed kind, compared to this interminable feeling of wooziness. They had even come up with a tank like creation that, also failed.

'Unlike ponies, they tasted better, especially...roasted.' You devilishly grinned.

The memory of your last barbecue was a grave mistake as your recently emptied stomach threatened a repeat upheaval at the thought of food of any kind.  Your groaned and further curled into a ball attempting to regain mastery your traitorous bowels.

Through it all, Cozy merely allowed you to remain on her legs.

'Your just enjoying every little bit of this, aren't you? A freebie cuddle time?'  You thought as your eyes flickered up to meet her own.  She looked at you filled with pity and understanding, and that just made you feel sicker.  Still, you'd never admit that this laying position on her legs with the warmth of her body and the smell of her about you, did make you feel...less bad, somehow.

"It's okay sweet heart, were are nearly there."  She cooed, brushing her hoof gently through your sweaty mane.  "Just think of all the fun things that you can do when we get to Ponyville."

"Have you even met me? Do you have any idea what wrong with what you just said?" You grumbled a little more bitter than you had intended as your stomach managed to settle, while the compartment continued to spin.

Her eyes saddened for a bit.  "This is a chance to start over, Flint. For all of us, but you especially."  She now gazed at you intently.  "Even as a foal you were always so stubborn, so independent, so...sad."  That last one caught you by surprise, as you found yourself lifting your head from her legs, the shaking car, momentarily pushed back from your mind as you looked skeptically into her eyes.  "You are so strong, Flint.  I saw it when I looked into your eyes for the first time, and I see it now. I believe you could take on the world, but you need to decide if you really want to do that alone. If that's what you truly want."  

Another surge in the rails brought the sickening feeling back, but you slowly lowered your head back down to her forelegs.

'She has no idea what she is talking about.'  You thought trying to push her words from your mind, and yet a lingering ember stayed.  You didn't know what it was; not yet.

"Ponyville. Next stop Ponyville, arrival thirty minutes."  The voice of the lamb chopped conductor came bellowing down the hallway.

"There it is, gang."  Sparks said, looking out the window.

Once again you summoned enough equilibrium to turn and look for yourself.  From the top of this hill you saw a small little hamlet in the distance. It consisted of several buildings, most no more than two stories in height.  Wooden in its construction, painted in soft mellow hues.  The overall architecture lacked the grand scale and rigidity of the cityscape, and from here reminiscent of something out of a story book.

'It is a lot smaller.' You thought as you then realized you were pressed up against the glass to better see the town.  

"Look, you can just see Canterlot Mountain." Cozy added, motioning to the purple peak that hung like a monolith in the horizon. 

'Canterlot.  Capital of Equestria. Seat of Power.  Home to the Royal Sisters.'  Your eyes fixed now on the mountain.

'They are there, right now, I can feel it.'  The memory of the the Sun and Moon Goddesses played in your mind, ready for battle, decked out in full armor, a look of shear contempt on their faces aimed directly at you.  Old wounds that had been inflicted on a body long turned to dust, throbbed on your own now.

The train turned and made its descent into the valley, removing both the mountain and the town from view. 

----------------

It didn't take long for you too see all that Ponyville had to offer.  Cozy had begun work at the office the very day you all arrived, Sparks too had made prior arrangements, working at the local hydro-electric power plant just outside of town (though the necessity for one so massive for a small town, struck you as odd).  That left you to wander the streets on your own.  

You weren't really looking for anything, rather getting the lay of the land for future purposes whatever that may be.  In your current form the one advantage you could have was knowledge, and knowing where things were, meant you didn't have to stoop so low as to ask for help later.

Cozy had used a word to describe the town; quaint.  The wooden structures, thatched roofs, and old timey look to everything gave you your own impression;

"Boring." You muttered to yourself flatly.

You admit, that despite the fact that you hated Manehatten, there was at least something to do or see.  Here, despite its reputation for sporting all kinds of trouble;  from Parasprite swarms, Tartarus spawned multi-headed canines, and the town itself located just outside the dreaded Everfree Forest.  You were dismayed at the lack of a single incident.  Though perhaps you were hard to please.

'Or bitterly indifferent.' You concluded.  It was true that your life for the past eight years had been that of contempt.  Whereas you refused to embrace your position as a pony child, you had come to accept that this was your life, and some aspects therein.  You were one of them, but you refused to be them, and until you would die (again) that would be the norm.  But, what you would do with this life until then? You had no clue.

By now you had found your way to the market.  Various vendors were passing out their wares from flowers, produce, and various other useless trinkets.  You did have to admit it was refreshing that you weren't at risk of being trampled like in the city.  Ponies that did get close, excused themselves and went around you.  It was also about that time that your stomach chose to speak up and make a request of you.  The scents of the market had been another redeeming quality to this Podunk, and you had been given a few bits from Sparks to....

-BARK!-BARK!-BARK!- -BARK!

Your train of thought derailed as your ears were assaulted with the fierce barking of a brown and white dog.  The animal stared at you intently, teeth bared, but making no attempt to come at you.  You returned the dog's stare, staring directly into its eyes, daring it to make a move.  Your only response had been to the sound, you remained still and relaxed, this too was something you were used to.  

Animals, it seemed, didn't like you, and would often act like this. Whether it was your demeanor or something inexplicable that only they could sense.  As the dog prepared for another volley of yipping it's owner saw fit to intervene.

"Winona!  What in tarnation is wrong with you?"  An orange mare, wearing a ridiculous hat, stepped out from her fruit stall to wrangle the mutt.  The dog looked incredulously, at its owner than to you, as if it's reasoning was so obvious, only to be grabbed by the collar firmly, and pulled back to the pony's side with a slight whimper.  The vendor looked up at you.  "Sorry 'bout that, partner.  Don't know what got into her."The orange pony drawled apologetically.

"Don't worry, little fella, she don't bite." The hat wearing pony reassured you, looking down at the dog who was still glaring at you.  "Anyhow." She transitioned, scooting the beast behind her stall and motioning you to come forward.  "Howdy, son! Name's Applejack.  Sorry again about the scare."

You merely shrugged.  You stepped forward and glanced at what the Apple pony was selling, and found it to be completely apples.

'With a name like "Applejack" I wondered why I'm surprised.'  You thought to yourself.  That was one thing that always confounded you about ponies.  That, despite being told that one could 'grow up and be anything' ponies tended to become a derivative of their birth name.  Whether there was societal pressure or general acceptance to this, or even some form of serendipity, you weren't sure, but it made you wonder where your name,"Flint Hearth", would lead you.

"Say, don't reckin' ah've seen yah around b'fore."  She used a hoof to tip the Stetson back slightly as she looked you over.  "You must be part ah that new family they moved in a few days ago."

You gave a noncommittal  nod in response.

"Well.  Welcome to Ponyville, Sugarcube!"  She said giving you a cheery smile, that you rolled your eyes at, a gesture she apparently missed.  

"Doing a little exploring of the town, ah take it?" She gave you a grin.

Again, you afforded her a nod.  Already you felt that the conversation was going nowhere and were tempted to walk away, when an apple was thrown your way.

"Think fast". Said Applejack playfully as the fruit came hurtling toward you.

Thousand year old instinct took over as the fruit was expertly caught in your maw.  Your teeth, flat though they may be, pierced the tender skin, rewarding you with an nostalgic spray of escaping liquid to go down your throat.  The taste of this, was...different, better even.  It may have been your different biology but the red fruit you now held in your mouth exploded with flavor.  You took the apple from your mouth and examined it closely.  It didn't seem any different or unusual than any other at the stand, but you were surprised at just how good it tasted.

"Wow, nice catch!"  Applejack said with a chuckle.  "On the house, consider it a 'welcome to the neighborhood' gift, at least till Pinkie Pie gets a hold of yah."

"Who's gonna do what?"  You said confused, with a mouthful of the delicious goodness.

Applejack just laughed again.  "You'll see."

You regarded her for a moment before you again focused on the apple in your hoof.

"Oh!"  Applejack looked up past you and smiled at whom, you assumed was a customer, to which, you graciously stepped aside."Afternoon,  Princess."

You immediately froze.  

The apple that had once been your center of world, fell to the ground.  All around you, you saw ponies smiling, and quite a few bowing, all of their eyes locked on the figure you sensed a few feet behind you.

'One of them is here!?'  You briefly panicked in your mind.  'I figured they were watching me, but why would they come here now?'  

Many of the ponies now went back to there business as the female voice behind you greeted them warmly.  "Good afternoon every pony! Hiya Applejack!"

You couldn't recall which one it was, but you didn't care as a realization came on you.  'I'm close enough now, so they can take time out of their day to taunt me, rub this curse in my face, torture me further.'  Blood began rushing to your face as rage, two thousand years old began to to boil over your tiny frame.  The dog sensed the change in your mood and began to bark again.    All sound in your mind was muffled, and your ears buzzed with your delirium.  You lowered your head and clenched your teeth, as your body rumbled with your fury, your years of composure leaving you.  A part of you wanted to remain calm, you didn't know for sure if you were being watched and you didn't want to blow your cover in case they didn't know about you and chose to do something worse to you.  But you didn't care anymore. The years of taking it on the chin, the bullies, the isolation, the humiliation, even the acceptance of your punishment shattered in your mind and spilled out in heavy breaths coming from your now seething form.

"Hey are you alright little guy?" Came the voice from behind you as you felt a hoof come to rest on your shoulder.

"DON'T YOU TOUCH ME!!!" You bellowed, ending all conversation within the entire market.

Your anger had exploded, as you recoiled from the hoof and whirled around to face your tormentor.  Her eyes were beset in a shocked and hurt face, the hoof that had no doubt been on your shoulder retracted up to her chest.  She had wings and a horn, and that was where the similarities to the Celestial Sisters stopped.  Instead of a white or dark blue she had a lavender coat, her mane didn't flow ethereally, and her still horrified eyes were a moderate violet.

'That's....not.... them.'  You stared dumbfounded, your white hot rage dropping as you once again froze.

The entire market was dead quiet, save for the dog's incessant barking. No pony moved.  You stood there in utter shock, unsure of what to do.  Your anger reduced to utter mortification.  Winona continued barking filling the silence that threatened to suck the life out of you.  After what seemed like an eternity, the Alicorn who wasn't whom you thought spoke up.  "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you."

You stared at her, you trembled in the anger that was still seeping out of you, as you felt something warm begin to flow in your eyes, something that had NO business being there.  The dog was now barking and growling a few feet from you.

SHUT UP!!!!

With break neck speed you turned to the mutt and let out ever ounce of rage that you had built up that caused birds in the surrounding buildings take to the air and flee in terror from.  The dog crumpled into a whimper and covered her eyes with her paws.  Whatever was said thereafter, you didn't know, cause you found yourself running, you didn't know where, you didn't know why, but all you knew is you had to get out of there.

Back at the market the two mares gave each other speechless looks.

"What the hay?"


> Chapter 5 The Everfree Encounter
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 5

The Everfree Encounter

You don't know how long you had been running, but not long enough seeing how you were still livid by what just happened. 

"I'm not sorry." You breathed as you continued to gallop down the path that led out of town. "I'm never sorry."  You gritted your teeth and ran faster.

Already the path you were on was becoming more wooded as the trees around you became thicker.  A errant rock eventually brought your run to a stop as you lost your balance and kicked up more dust when your body fell in a heap on the road.  

You laid there a while, breathing heavily.  Far as you could tell your tumble hadn't caused injury, but still, what happened back there clearly put things into perspective.  You gazed up at the cloudy sky, partially obscured by the trees that formed an archway over the road.  Pretty, but that wasn't the perspective you had realized.  

'For too long I had put my feelings about my incarceration aside, buried them deep in trivial matters.  Today, I faced a Princess, albeit the wrong one,'. You narrowed your eyes at your blunder.  'My emotions erupted.'  The idea of this happening didn't sit right with you.

"Stupid and Careless." You verbally cursed yourself. "She is one of them, though.  This is her fault just as much as theirs."  You grunted as you picked yourself up.  Still, your mind replayed the expression on her face; the look of hurt.  The visual nagged at you, no matter how you tried to rationalize it.  You looked back the way you came, to see if anyone was following you.  No pony had, and you were a bit relieved.

'I still made an absolute fool out of myself.'  You berated yourself.  'I'm gonna hear about this.'.

You imagined how Cozy and Sparks would sit you down and talk about this, ask you to "explain yourself," which you wouldn't.  You wouldn't lie or make excuses, no you were better then that.  Liars were weak, and you would rather say nothing.  You knew they would push to get you to answer eventually expect you to apologize.  Again, you would do neither.

'So much for starting ove—"

"Uhm, Excuse me."  A small voice sent you reeling.  You spun around, teeth gritted, ready to spring, only to be met by the aqua blue eyes of a yellow pegasus.

"Oh sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."  She looked at you apologizing for her 'abrupt' interruption.

"You didn't scare me!" You said defensively. "I just didn't..." You started, then simply huffed and resumed a more relaxed postured.  "What do you want?"

"Oh well I was just, wondering if you, I mean, if you don't mind me asking, if you do it's totally ok, cause when I was your age I was told not to talk to strangers, and we haven't met—"

"WH-Aaah-t is it, Miss?"  You said, the tone of your voice starting angry but then  evened out as you struggled to keep your composure; you'd yelled at enough locals today.

"Oh, i-it's Fluttershy."  The butter colored mare stated softly, her name coming out as just above a whisper.  "Uhm, have you seen any...rabbits around here?" She meekly asked, hiding half her face behind her long  pink mane.

"What?"  You asked confused.  Of all the things she was gonna say, that wasn't something you anticipated.  You were more than certain she was going to bring up that incident in town.  Instead, you were talking about bunnies.

"His name is Angel.  He is snowy white and has a puffy white tail."  She said reverently as she thought of her beloved companion, almost forgetting you were there.

You were still a little flabbergasted at the venue of conversation, but you managed to regain some of your focus.  "No, I haven't seen any rabbits,  but then again I haven't been really looking either."  

She looked a little sad by your answer.  "Oh I see."  She said as she sat on her haunches.  "Well, that's okay. I'm sure he will turn up."

You decided then that now was a good time to move on. You turned to go further down the road, stay out of town to avoid anyone who might want to talk about your outburst rather then the local fauna.

"So where are you headed in that way?  You know, If you don't mind me asking?"  She said as you began walking off further away from town.

"No where."  You replied truthfully before even thinking.

"I see." She said. As she began pawing the ground with her hoof.

"What?" You sensed there was more she intended to say.

"Oh, nothing."

After a deafening silence, you chose to officially end the conversation by putting more distance between you both.

"Are you...ok?" You heard her faint voice behind you say.  The question brought you to a halt.  You didn't even turn around, your gaze was on the ground in front of you and your expression blank.

"...no." You said in almost a whisper as soft as hers.  You don't know why you admitted that, there was just something about this 'Fluttershy' that just made you relax and drop your guard enough to reflect on today. The event in town, replayed in your mind relentlessly.  You were aware now, that it bothered you. It bothered you that it bothered you, it bothered you that you lost control, it bothered you that this would greatly disappoint Cozy, it bothered you that you had made a scene and yelled at the purple Alicorn...and the dog. 

'It wasn't their fault.'  You told yourself. 'Princess or not, I could of just walked away, I could of just turned around and saw it wasn't one of them, I could of-'. In the midst of your hindsighted self beratement you found that a pair of yellow hooves snake around your midsection and pull you into a tender embrace.  

"W-wh-what a-are you!"  You protested, but made no physical effort to pull away.  Fluttershy's embrace was warm and soothing, she was soft and smelt of flowers.  Her chin rested on top of your head and she pulled you close to her so that you felt her steady heartbeat.

"Sorry, it just looks like you need it."

How long you both stayed that way you didn't know.  All your anger seemed to melt away leaving behind a warm fuzzy feeling In your chest.

'Wait! A coal chucking minute!' You snapped to your senses, shaking yourself free from the butter colored mare's hug.  She made no effort to keep you, just sorta smiled as you glared at her.

'What was that all that about?' You thought, attempting to reaffirm yourself and pummel that fuzzy feeling from your mind.

She simply giggled and you felt heat rise to your cheeks.  'How is she doing this to me?' You wondered perplexed by your uncharacteristic behavior.

The answer would have to wait as the moment was shattered by a shrill scream of terror in the distance.  Both your ears perked to the sound which was then followed by a series of loud crashing noises not to far from where you both were.  Fluttershy's eyes went wide at the noise and her wings flared in alarm.

"Girls!" She gasped, as she took off from the ground with speed that belied her previously timid first impression you had of her.

"That was....strange."  You said to no one.  Part of you thought of following her, check out what was going on, maybe hel..."No!  I don't owe her anything."  You said as you tried to forget the last few minutes.

You began to stomp off in the opposite direction she had gone, when a low grumble sounded off in the distance behind you.  The sound was beastly, almost like a trumpet, and most definitely not friendly.

You turned back into the direction the noise had come from, which also was the way the pegasus had gone.  With a sigh, you started into a galloped as fast as you could to where the ruckus was coming from. Already further sounds of trees falling and additional screams pointed you in the right direction.

"Not like I have anything better to do."

---------------------------------

The Everfree forest had a reputation throughout Equestria as being one of the more dangerous places throughout the pony nation.  Untamed and free as its name would suggest; the clouds moved where the wind took them, the animals didn't need a anypony to look after them, and many parts of the forest the canopy was so thick that is cast them in perpetual darkness all year round.  It was no surprise that some of the more dangerous animals would call this wildwood home, many of which were still unknown as few who went in to find out, seldom returned.

As for what this creature was, Applebloom knew two things: it was angry, and it was gaining on her and her friends, and honestly, that's all she needed to know.  The Cutie Mark Crusaders had been recruited by Fluttershy earlier that morning to find her wayward bunny friend.  Found him they did, and found them this creature did, and they currently found themselves dodging trees and crashing through the underbrush, running for their lives. 

"Hurry!  Ah c'n see the way out'."  Applebloom encouraged her friends as the creature bellowed behind them. It's bigger body made it slower in the woods, but only just so.

"It's getting closer!" Squeaked the white unicorn known as Sweetie Belle. Her usually pearly coat scratched and muddy from their mad dash through the woods.

"Stupid rabbit is more trouble then he's worth!"  Puffed the tomboyish voice of the resident pegasus CMC member, named 'Scootaloo.'

The white coney gave the orange filly a death glare, then cowered at the sound of a tree trunk cracking a few feet behind them, gripping tighter to the farm filly's mane, swearing by all things furry that he would never wander so far from home ever again if he would get out of this alive.

The trio and their cottontailed mission objective, finally broke through the tree line.  Gasping for breath they collapsed in the middle of the clearing, looking back at the woods waiting to see if the creature would follow.  Everypony knew that the dangerous animals never left the cover of the forest.  Unless,—

A burst of leaves and splintered wood exploded from the edge of the forest.  In unison, the three fillies pupils shrank as they took the beast in, unobstructed by the dark tangle of the forest.  It was big, about the size of two grown stallions, it's skin was dark green, and from the back of its neck to the tip of it's tail was a line of spikes.  Its legs were somewhat stubby like an alligator, the end of each arm ended in three terrifying claws.  It's face was even more pointy, with horns on its head, and sharp teeth varying in size from the size of gardening trowels to full blown shovels.  It's eyes were large and the most unpleasant color of red that seemed to sear into the minds of the three fillies, insuring inspiration for future nightmares, if there was a future to be had at all.

It hesitated for a moment, temporarily blinded by the direct sunlight, till its gaze fell onto its quarry.  More slowly then before, it approached the ponies, savoring the terror on their faces as it approaches each claw tilling the grass beneath it as it made its way closer to its prize.

The fillies' brains, wracked with fear, made them freeze at the sight of the monster, ideas of fleeing escaping their mind as the beast's terrible jaws gapped at them.

Angel, would have attempted to save himself at least, only to find he too was also locked in a white, orange, and yellow group hug of catatonic paralysis.

The beast was only a few feet away when a yellow blur interposed itself in front of the reptilian and the scared stiff ponies.

"F-Fluttershy?  The crusaders spoke in equal trembling voices.  

"Stay behind me girls, don't run."  The butter colored mare calmly stated to the fillies she was now shielding, she was now in her element and she commanded with an unbreakable will of a monarch.  Still, she admitted she had never seen a creature like this one before and she had lingering doubts this would turn out well.  She secretly hoped she was better than she thought.

The monster animal continued its march up to now four ponies and one shivering rabbit.

"Go back to the forest!" Fluttershy demanded at first.  "There is much more food and shelter for you there then here."  She added trying to appeal to the animal's better nature.  

The beast did not stop until it was only a mere three feet away from Fluttershy's position.  It stood at least three heads taller than her and look down on her with a look that sent a chill down her spine when she recognized it: It was enjoying this.  Fluttershy had met more than her fair share of bullies, and here was yet another.  She stood firm her brows furrowed prepared to lecture this one into oblivion.

The creature suddenly stopped.  It's expression of delight replaced with confusion as it sensed something stepping on its tail.  Whatever it was it was not exceptionally heavy nor did it seem to prevent it from moving forward.   The reptile, temporarily forgetting about its fun turned around to find the source of the sensation.  It was another pony, or more specifically: you.

Your eyes examined the beast, it's scales, sharp spikes, claws, and teeth.  As well as it's squatty body and its eyes.

"A Hodag?"  You said to it, with a laugh. 

"Don't just stand there kid!  Run!"  The orange pegasus pleaded with you having been the one to find her voice.

You looked at her and the others for a moment.  Each was gripped in fear of this creature, clearly not knowing what it was and why they shouldn't be afraid.

"You all look ridiculous."  You said with a smirk.

The beast gave a snarl, not liking being ignored, apparently.

"I am surprised to see one of your kind here, or alive at all for that matter."  Your attention, now returned to the red eyed beast.  "I'd figure you pathetic root suckers would have gone extinct by now."

Your gaul seemed to shock all present into further rigid silence.  The hodag, didn't completely understand Equis, apart from "AAAHHHH" and "HELP ME", but it did know when it was being insulted.  It snarled and turned its mass directly toward you.  To which you responded, by not moving.  It's great maw opened and let loose one of its best roars to date. It then snapped its jaws in a clear show of savagery.  The next thing it new, it was seeing   
stars as you gave it a sharp wallop on the snout.  Despite your size, you had succeeded in hitting the hodag's snout where the cartilage meets the bone with enough force to discombobulate the offending lizard.

As its vision cleared it looked down at you with anger only to be met by your more daunting glower as you pressed forward invading the animal's space.  It hadn't anticipated that, as it began to rapidly back up to keep up with your advance.  

"You must think yourself pretty big and bad to go off a spree like you just did."  You reprimanded the beast as you continued to march forward pushing it back further and further.  "Well the difference between them and me is that I know how much of joke you are."  Again, your forward pressure kept the hodag unfocused and off balance.  "So if you came here to do some damage then at least have the scales to actually do something horrendous."

Without the smallest bit of hesitation you grabbed the animal's lips and roughly forced them open.  Laying your head against one of the larger fangs,  which earned a muffled scream of horror from one of the fillies present.

"Go on, take my head off!  I dare you!"  You said, a rare smile gracing your face.

The creature's eyes went wide as it looked down at you.  Uncertain of what you we're doing, it looked to the assembled witnesses, as if asking for help.  

"Don't look at them!"  You snarled at the lizard, anger building in your voice.  "BITE MY HEAD OFF YOU GOOD FOR NOTHING SALAMANDER!!!"

The hodag, paused for a long while.  All, save you, held their breath, afraid to move.  Finally, the beast let out a whimper as its tail went between its legs.

"That's what I thought."  You said, a little disappointed. You removed your head from its mouth and you turned your head away from it in disgust, refusing to look at it.  "Get out of my sight."  You pointed a hoof to the forest.  

The expression of a whipped puppy was obvious on it's toothy face.  It slowly made its way back,  looking at the others and then back to you "NOW!!!!"  You yelled and took a few steps toward it, causing it to jump and flee back to the tree line, it's tail still between its hind legs.

"Gutless."  You whispered to yourself.  You began to turn and leave, only to be blindsided by a wall of six large eyes.  The sight elicited a small, un-becoming squeak of surprise from you, as you slowly backed away from the three fillies who now regarded you in utter awe.

"That was amazin'!"  The yellow earth pony beamed at you.

"I've done some pretty crazy stunts but nothin' compares to that one!"  Said the scrawny winged pegasus, hoof pumping the air to punctuate her approval.

"Are you a wild pony?  Do you live in the Everfree? Were you, like,  raised by Timber wolves or something?"  Chirped the white unicorn.  

"What?" You exclaimed looking at her in utter disbelief.

"Well, you might be." She said rubbing forelegs together in slight embarrassment.

"Don't be stupid Sweetie Belle!"  Piped in Scootaloo. "Does he look like a wild pony?"

Before an argument broke out the red bow wearing one smiled and spoke.  "Howdy!  The names Applebloom, this here is Scootaloo," she said, motioning to the orange pegasus who puffed her chest at the mention of her name,"and she's Sweetie Belle."  Motioning to the white unicorn with, clearly an overactive imagination, who sorta crossed her forelegs and blushed at you.

You merely nodded, as they stared at you and waited expectantly.

"Aaaaaand you are?" Applebloom drawled, rotating her hoof in front of her to signal your response when it didn't come.

With a sigh, you narrowed your eyes and acquiesced the name you went by. "It's Flint."

"Nice tah meet yah Flint, thanks for the save back there." Smiled Applebloom appreciatively.

By now Fluttershy had approached as well, with one surly looking bunny on her back.  She regarded you with a smiling face of approval to which you merely shrugged off, albeit a little redder in the face, and proceeded to head back home.  

"Whoa! Hey wait up!" Said the voice of one of the three of your most recent acquaintances.  The girls bid, the pink maned pegasus and rabbit goodbye and proceeded to follow you back into town.

"Ugh, guess we can't take a hint." You grumbled under your breath, as you felt them catch up to you.

"So spill it!"  Said Scootaloo, coming up to your side and getting right in your face. You looked at her blankly.  "How'd you do that thing with the hot dog?" She said excitedly, getting the name wrong.

"He said it was a 'Hodag'." Corrected Sweetie, giving her own jab at her friend's previous slight at her.

"Yeah, how'd yah know that thing wouldn't snip your head off like ah Dandylion?" Chimed in Applebloom.  "You did know it wasn't gonna kill yah right?"

All three of them looked at you worriedly.  

"Yeah...yeah, I knew it wasn't gonna kill me." You relented the answer.

"How?" All three queried.

With another sigh, you continued.  "A hodag sustains itself on tree roots near the bases of mountains or bluffs.  It's claws dig holes to get to them, and it's sharp teeth are used to sift dirt and then nibble on roots."

"Y-you musta read that out of a book?"  Said Scootaloo, apparently either lost or impressed by your answer.  "What a way to test it out!"

"Yeah......sure."  You answered flatly. The truth was the base of Zerilith, was home to several of the vermin, providing an easy, if not slightly woody, snack.

"So if it only eats plants, then why did it come after us?"  Wondered Sweetie Belle.

"Kicks." You responded, bluntly.

"Wha?" She tilted her head confused.

"Probably bored, wanted something to do."

"What kinda creep, would git pleasure out of scarin' poor lil ponies haf'ta death?" Admonished Applebloom in disgust.

You arched an eyebrow, recalling why you were now the way you were,  "Indeed."

"Well, you sure know a lot about wild animals."  Sweetie Belle smiled at you, "But I suppose that's what your cutie mark means, huh? She said motioning to your flank.

"Very funny."  You said; not in the mood for games.

"What?" She asked innocently.

"You blind? I don't have a Cu—." Your annoyed voice cut out as your eyes fell on your hip.  You stopped walking and the three looked at you, their expression went front puzzlement to excited realization as they put the pieces together, a task which took you a little longer.

Their, on your flank, was something that hadn't been there minutes before.

"I....tha...."  Was all you managed to sputter out as the Cutie Mark Crusaders simultaneously jumped into the air and gave a cheer in the form of a three way high hoof.

> Chapter 6 -  A Look Back and a Step Forward
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 6

A Look Back and a Step Forward

The Alicorn Princess' armor was now chaffing at her.  Sweat, blood, and ash had seeped its way in between the exposed joints of the ebony colored plating, creating a slurry of salty discomfort.  This however was the furthest from Luna's mind as her eyes pierced through the smoke and fire that surrounded her, billowing about her like a scene out of tartarus itself.  Her blade; held firm in  the glow of her horn, bore the trademarks of the battle that still raged about her.  Various blemishes adorned the silver sheen of the edge, in addition to the beast's blood.  That she was particularly proud of.

"Thou aren't as invulnerable as you would appear, monster!"  She smiled grimly to the desolation about her in defiance of her unseen enemy.  Despite its size it was remarkably swift, and equally as cunning.  She carefully stepped over the ashen remains of a Lunar Guard that fell to the beast's flame, making certain not to desecrate her loyal praetorian's resting place.

'Thou shall be avenged, my dear Alaris.' She whispered to the smoking husk, as bits of his remains broke off in the summer night breeze, scattering like leaves to the open air.

Bringing her eyes forward, she listened for the slightest sound, be it the wrap of leather wings or scrapping stone.  The night was hers, and yet this worm had managed to elude itself from her enough to get the drop on them all. Eleven of her guard were now dead and she would destroy this creature in their names, or fall along with them.

Already the events of the past few hours alone would go down in history as a black day for ponykind.  The slew of destroyed cities and death left in the wake of this foe were staggering.   Luna and Celestia's call to action was swift, but the creature proved itself to be terribly methodical.  It had a unique immunity to magic, as such, it couldn't be detected through more mystical means.  Thus the old method of "splitting up and looking" had to suffice, sending Luna and her contingent west, and Celestia's to the east. 

A low thrumming cut through the air, signifying the creatures presence enough for her keen senses to zero in on the sound to ultimately reveal... nothing.

This was no mindless animal, she had to admit.  Which made its assault on her sovereignty all the more heinous.

"Show thyself, cur!"  Shouting once more; not with fear but indignant command that royalty wielded.

"As you wish."  The voice acquiesced.  The sound was low and gravelly, and rumbled with its shear ginormity.  Luna met it, blade ready, wings flared.

The great firedrake emerged from the column of smoke as if it had been there the whole time.  It's massive steps shook the ground about it, but not the Alicorn it dwarfed.  However, her stone faced expression barely hid her shock as she saw what was in its maw. Like a cat with a canary, the dragon held the shivering form of a Pegasus guard.  

"Hoplite?" Luna almost whispered the name between gritted teeth, trying to discern if her loyal scout was still alive.  Her body was battered and broken and her once lustrous lunar armor was cracked.  The poor mare managed to weakly look up and meet Luna's gaze, afraid to move, knowing full well that each breath could, indeed, be her last.  She was then dropped unceremoniously to the dirt below with a sickening thud.  Whimpering in gritted pain, her crippled wings pointed in opposing directions,  as her fearful eyes beseeched her Princess for help.  Luna's eyes fell to her subject tenderly, then seethed to the monster, her rage turning ablaze as her horn shone with her fury. 

Showing no emotion to the picture of wrath before it, the drake, nonchalantly kicked its front leg and sent the pegasus sprawling towards the matriarch.  Her expression of rage snapped to one of compassion, as one of her precious ponies landed in her forelegs.  The Alicorn's blade dropped to her side, as she felt tears stinging her eyes as she held the broken mare close, cradling her down to the ground.

"Sentiment."  Hissed the Dragon with a sneer.  In a blink of an eye, it was barreling down on the Princess of the Night and her precious cargo.  Luna had just enough time to brace herself as the tonnage of the behemoth lizard came.  Wrapping her wings around Hoplite and taking the full force of the charge, sending them both flying back into the charred ruins of what remained of the destroyed town's fence.

Dazed, Luna looked about for her subject, only for a massive clawed foot to pin her down on her back.  A howl of pain and anger betrayed her tight lipped warrior composure, as she felt the dragon put its massive bulk down upon her, locking her in place.  Her massive magical potential, was now solely focused on keeping herself from being crushed.

The drake lowered its head so that Luna could see herself reflected in the creatures slitted icy blue eyes.  "You who have the power of a god, dost thou see what 'sentiment' has gained you?"  Boomed the beast's voice as it looked down upon the squirming form of the dark blue Alicorn.

Luna merely huffed in imperious contempt and turned away, refusing to give the vile creature an answer or the satisfaction of seeing her strain from its bulk compressing down on her. This allowed her gaze to meet with Hoplite's.  She was just a few yards away and had managed to get to her hooves.  She was limping from her injuries, but her disciplined will allowed her to endure the pain and move quietly.  She began to slowly creep up on the lizard, a sharp lance in one foreleg.  The drake seemed not to take notice of the now armed pony soldier, evidently forgotten about, in favor of his current victim.

'Need to keep his attention on me.'  The Night Princess thought to herself. Knowing full well that a hit to the eyes and throat could kill, if not maim even the heartiest of dragons.  She had to give her soldier an opening.   "A brute such as thee would never understand." She spoke with venom in her voice, gifting her soldier a few more precious feet closer to the beast.

"I understand perfectly." Retorted the scaled nemesis. "Your 'love'," practically bitting at the word.  "Has weakened you, and you will never know true power till the notion is swept away."  

Hoplite raised her weapon, expertly and lining up her shot.

"I feel thy burden."  The dragon said, in a voice rank with false pity, putting more pressure on his captive, further binding her in place.  

The soldier pulled back her foreleg.
"Permit me to free you of it!!" The beast's throat glowed with heat within as it opened its jaws, revealing a cascade of molten flame that began to froth from its gullet.  Luna skin blistered from the close heat, sweat vaporizing off her coat the instant it appeared.  She prepared herself for what came next, forcing her eyes open, daring to meet her enemy's own. Only to find that the hollow eyes were not fixed on her at all.  Instead they were cast over its shoulder in the direction of-

"...No."   Luna protested, attempting to move, even teleport out from under the great beast, but to no avail.  With an audible snap, the drake's head turned to face spear wielding soldier.  In that instant Hoplite released the spear.  It flew true, making a direct path straight for the monster's face.  At first, Hoplite was hopeful she would hit her mark or at least half blind the scourge, until a wave of flame spewed forth from its jaws, melting the projectile mid flight as if it were an icicle.  The firestorm spread, tumbling like water to meet her.  To her credit, Hoplite didn't scream, oddly, her last thought was how eerily beautiful it was.  She felt nothing as the torrent hit her, even as her armor melted about her.  Then, she merely ceased to be.


------------------------------

"NO!"  With a violent jolt, Princess Luna awoke.  Soaked in sweat, horn flaring, she frantically she scanned about for her hated enemy.  It took her only a moment to realize she was in her own bed chambers in Canterlot.  She blinked a few times, then dimmed her horn, coming to her haunches, bringing her hoof to her brow.  

"Just a dream."  She reassured herself.  But that wasn't entirely right.  It was a memory, nearly two thousand years old, yet she could still feel the heat from the beast's fire on her face as if she had been there moments ago.  The ache of loss at the decimation of her Lunar Guard stilled gnawed at her, but they had been avenged.  Not long after poor Hoplite's death, Luna went on a full blown offensive.  Still, in the end,  it took her and Celestia's combined power to ultimately slay the wretched brute.

Luna, glanced at the sky out her tower.  Already her sister had begun the descent of her sun to make way for the glorious night Luna had planned.

Her mood, lightened by her upcoming task, she rose and made her way to the balcony. Her magic opening the doors as she stretched out her wings and breathed in the air of the coming twilight.  The cool sweat on her body gave her a slight chill, but she welcomed it, recalling the intense heat of the dream.  Her eyes drifted off to south, to the Everfree swamps.  Her memory flashing to the final blow of that fateful battle and where the drake's ruin came to land.  Knowing full well that the dragon was long since withered away, she still couldn't help but sense an odd sense of foreboding as to the meaning of this dream, or vision?  Why, after so long, would she be haunted by this memory?

"Curious..." She mumbled to herself.  She wondered if she should tell Celestia of her dream.  'No, no need in bothering our sister with such trivial matters long left dead.'  Still something about it nagged at her.

As the Sun rapidly approached its nadir, she shook herself to the here and now.  

'My mind is still in the past.'  She reprimanded herself.  'Dragon's aren't exactly civil, but they amicable enough.'  Recalling the last dragon migration that went through Equestrian airspace, and the complete lack of incident.  'Even the altercation between a slumbering dragon and the Elements went by with relatively little trouble.'

Her mind at ease, she took wing to relieve her sister and begin her grand painting of the heavens. 

------------------

"See yah tomorrow, Flint!"  Waved Apple Bloom.

"Nice hanging out with you!"  Squeaked Sweetie Belle.

"Later."  Pipped Scootaloo, giving your shoulder a playful punch, to which you silently glared after her for.

The Crusaders went their separate ways as they bid you farewell.  Despite your wishes, the trio had taken it upon themselves to show you the rest of the town.  In the end all this really was was an afternoon of you trying to walk away, only for them to blather on about some building or some pony who did something.  At first you ignored them, but after a while you grew to not mind them telling you the ins and outs of your new home.  'Saves me the trouble of figuring it out on my own,'  You admitted.  "and if they were just gonna volunteer it without me having to ask, then why not?'

In addition to showing you around, they also took the time to spread the word about their latest exploit to the ponies in town, and how you, 'made a daring rescue.'  Many ponies eyes would look at them in disbelief only for one of the three to grab you and show off your recently acquired mark on your flank;  seemingly to enjoy taking some credit for it appearing on you.

'I still don't understand why.'  You mused to yourself, looking at your hip for the umpteenth time that afternoon.  To be honest you didn't know how to feel about thIs.  While you tried to convince yourself that this was just another stupid part of being a pony, you couldn't help but be a little...proud, of your newest, and most ornate, 'battle scar'.

It was already getting late, and while you never really had a curfew, you knew that it was a good time to start heading for home yourself.  You also recalled that if Cozy and Sparks talked to anyone on their way home they were certain to hear about the colt who not only yelled, but cursed out the Princess  ('Twilight', as you were told by Apple Bloom).  Most certainly, you were walking into an ambush as soon as you walked through the door.  Regardless, you made your way home.

The walk to your new house was a short one.  Ponies were also making their way home, and quite a few of them gave you a few looks.  'Look all you want.'  You merely walked passed them, ignoring their judgmental gazes.

Already, you could see lights on in the windows as you came to the modest two story that was now your home.  Cozy's company had set her up in style here and though it was by no means luxurious it was one of the more well kept and larger of the houses on the block   As you came up to the door you steeled yourself.  You pushed open the door and made your way inside.  The sound of familiar voices in the living room could be heard as you stepped in the doorway.

"...it's not like we can ground him, that doesn't really bother him."  Sparks voice could be heard.  "If anything, he actually prefers that."  He said with an exasperated sigh.

"Sparks, this is serious!" Cozy's chided her husband "We are trying to give him the best chance at fitting in.  But we need to the parents here."

"Well... we...could ask him to... apologize to the Princess." Said Sparks, obviously half heartedly.  You'd never apologized for anything, and he knew it.

"No! We will...demand... he apologize, and have him explain himself."  Cozy said, bringing out her work tone.  "He could get criminal record for this!  We can't let him think that what he did was ok."  You could practically picture Cozy's worried expression as her imagination worked up various unsavory scenarios she envisioned you getting into.  Apparently, Sparks knew well enough too.  

"Okay, I know that look, stop it right there." He said calming his wife.  "I agree, we need to do something but blowing this out of proportion isn't gonna solve this."  His voice softened.  "Look, he's very bright, he gets good grades, he's mature for his age, and despite his...glaring, anger issues," your ear involuntarily flicked at that one. "He is a good kid."

A short silence followed as you found yourself listening intently.  You could make out the sound of a shudder followed by labored breathing, which caused an ache to form in the pit of your stomach.

"I just want him to be happy."  Cozy voice broke.  "To get along with everypony else, not to shut himself away."  She bit back a sob.

'Dammit all.'  You inwardly cursed.  Few things affected you in an emotional way, (well apart from anger that is.) but one of them that never failed, was when Cozy cried.  For some reason it was unsettling to you, to the point that it caused you to feel, what could be "remorse", even in your most justified exploits.  You contemplated just slamming the door, walking up to your room in silence.  You had done it before, countless times in the past. They would come up to your room, sometimes tenderly, sometimes angrily.  They would ask you to apologize, explain your reasoning, punish you.  You would stare them down, you would say absolutely nothing, after all you didn't need to explain yourself to them.  You half expected them to lose their patience, strike you even, you prepared for that.  Still, they never did.  

This time however, something felt different.  Perhaps it was that you actually did regret yelling at Twilight, perhaps it was being around the crusaders for the afternoon, or maybe it was how you could hear Cozy sobbing in the next room.  You let out a sigh,  you knew what you needed to do, and it wasn't gonna be easy.  You took another step inside and closed the front door,  hard enough to formally announce your presence, but soft enough to keep things low key.

"Flint?"  Came the male Pegasus' voice.

You turned down the small foyer and your "parent's" eyes fell on you.  The two separated from an embrace as you entered and came to a seat in the middle of the room in front of them.  Cozy was rubbing her eyes and composing herself.  While Sparks seemed to regard you, not knowing where to begin.

Cozy then turned to meet you, her eyes puffy, but focused.  She opened her mouth to speak, only for you to interrupt.

"I'm sorry."  The words were a hair above a whisper but the expression on their faces made it clear they heard, but almost didn't believe it.  "I didn't mean to upset you."

"D-do you actually mean that?"  Sparks looked at you in shocked disbelief.

"I wouldn't have said it if I didn't mean it." You affirmed unflinchingly.  The two simply blinked at you, but they clearly seemed to be more relaxed.  Taking the prolonged silence as a good Segway, you chose to wrap up this discussion.

"I am going to bed without supper."  You turned and headed down to your room.  You then paused a moment. "I met some classmates today, they offered to walk with me to my first day of school tomorrow, is that alright with you?"  Your question was directed at the still catatonic mare.  The likewise frozen stallion had to nudge her to get her to answer, his eyes not leaving you.

"Uh...classmates?" She stuttered "Of-of course, that would be fine."

"Alright, goodnight."  You said flatly, resuming your trip to your room.  The two simply nodded as you disappeared around the corner.
-------------

The two ponies simply stood in rigid silence for the longest time, their eyes fixed on the spot their son had been.  The Pegasus stallion spoke first.  

"Did he just..."

"I-I believe... he did." Responded his wife.

He let out a breath as he crashed down on the couch.  Likewise the mare fell to her haunches and shook her head trying to process the earth shattering event that just transpired.

A chuckle to her right brought her gaze to her feathered spouse.  He laid there, one hoof over his forehead, a grin on his face. "Like I said, 'he's a good kid'." 

Cozy looked back down the hallway, and couldn't help but smile a little herself.  Then something dawned on her.

"Did he look...different?"

------

You had just finished brushing your teeth before you turned in for the night. A surprising enjoyable aspect of pony life that you had to appreciate.  As a dragon you would go for days with various bits of gore stuck in your teeth.  Small birds would often take care of them in their symbiotic relationship with dragons, but few volunteered to help you.  The product of a bad reputation, and sensitive gums.  

You turned from the mirror to put your toothbrush back, when out of the corner of your eye you saw something, different in the mirror, something,....furry?  You looked back.  No, nothing different, bony crests, sharp pencil teeth (albeit a lot whiter in color.), and a grim expression.  You stared back at your beastial reflection.  It had been a day full of surprises, most of which made you uneasy.  You faced an Alicorn for the first time in seventeen hundred years, you met and spent the day with ponies your physical age, even helped them in a dicey situation, and even... your train of thought stopped with the latest development.

'Why did I apologize?'  You wondered.  In truth, you didn't really apologize for what you did, merely that you regret upsetting Cozy.  Still, the fact that you said those words.  You allowed your eyes to trail down to the mark that adorned your flank and for the first time you really examined it:

A large silver shield formed its base, a green dragon curled in a crescent shape around the shield, its head rearing back a small jet of red flame shot at the shield.

"What does it mean?"'

> Chapter 7 Anger and Toast
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 7

Anger and Toast

It had begun as a small twinkle in the stars above, one that you had scarcely noticed.  You were to preoccupied in your current assault on the white Alicorn, her solar javelin sparking as it bounced off your armored hide. With a quick flap of her ivory colored wings she had swiftly pulled away from you to allow her sister to re-enter the fray.  

They had recently changed tactics to a tag team effort that you first thought was an attempt to save their strength and wear you down.  But you were far from tired.  The battle had waged for six hours now,  the last four being held predominantly, mid-air, and progressively going higher.  Already the breathable air was minimal and the veil of atmosphere that blanketed the planet was so thin that it gave way to an endless sea of stars.  Still you pursued, and still they came on, in a glorious aerial waltz of savagery.  

Ponies though they may be, they were worthy of their reverent reputation for indomitable power.  Then again, so were you.  They had just switched again, with the Lunar Alicorn pulling away in a dive for her Solar sibling to commence an attack to your vertical right.  Which you avoided serious injury by barrel rolling with the forward force of the searing lance's bite. 

Through out the course of the fight they had both landed their fair share of hits, some which drew blood, and pain.  Actual pain!   This brought you back to the early years of your ascension to power, where you faced opposition that could kill you.  Now though, your wounds closed within moments of being made, a testament to all the battles you had fought in your rise to glory.  Each had made you stronger, faster, and harder to kill.  Already the Sun Alicorn's hit was a becoming a blemish.  Spinning her lance as she broke off her attack, in a clear diversionary tactic she fell back.  Allowing for her sister to come at you from below.

The Moon Goddess thrust her blade forward toward your gut. Anticipating her attack, you used the small opening she made and quickly dove down, evading the shimmering blade, and in turn curving your body below her. Catching her hind leg in your jaws.

Your teeth gripped onto the Alicorn's limb, a shriek of startled pain rewarding you for your swift catch.  Biting down fully, you could take the leg clean off, effectively taking her out of the fight, if not out of this world.  'But, what fun would that be?' You thought darkly.

With a deathroll, you whip the Princess around, a satisfying crack, echoing in your mouth, signaling a broken leg from the abrupt jolt.  Further using the momentum you released her leg and launched her downward.  With shrill howl of agony, the Lunar Princess, plummeted below the blanket of clouds; mercifully, with all four limbs attached, but far from unharmed.

Suddenly, a shining  blast of white light hit you directly in the chest.  Your armor held but the wave tasted of ozone...and bloodlust.

"Good."  You gritted your teeth in delight as your scales still smoked from the hit.  About thirty yards from you, floated the white Alicorn: Princess Celestia, the elder ruler of this land and Goddess of the Sun.  She was known far and wide for her compassion and wisdom.  All of which was gone from her now as she had her lance aimed at your heart, with a look that said she meant to rip it out of you.

"MONSTER!"  She bellowed in a voice that shook the very air around you, her body radiating with her wrath for her injured kin.  Another blast came, hitting in the same spot, and then another.  Again and again each volley came.  But you were ready for them, and pressed forward, only phased momentarily by each cascade of solar fury.  You had now halved the gap between you both, and she halted her barrage and prepared for a charge. Her body seared with power and took off at you like a comet, to which you obliged, your own fire engulfing you as you jetted forward to meet her.  The white light of the goddess and the red inferno of your body barreled toward one another, gaining speed then collided with a massive crash that pushed you both back.  

The Sun Alicorn righted herself quicker and once again surged forward to meet you, the still white hot lance ready to skewer you.  Once again you proved faster than you appeared and snatched the hilt of the lance mid charge and redirect the princess' momentum past you.  Her eyes widened as she moved below you, only to practically bulged when she saw your massive head come smashing down on her own.   

Much like her sister, she too fell beneath the clouds, her helmet falling one way and her dented crown falling another.  Her ethereal mane still flowing from her bloodied, but surprising un-caved in head.

With a roar of utmost joy, in the glorious battle, you parted your wings and reveled in your own power.  Casting your shadow on the two holes In the clouds  far beneath you where the two feeble goddesses fell before your unstoppable might, the Lunar Goddess' own moon bearing witness before you to their pitiful-

'Wait.'  You paused your celebrating when you saw something out of place, something that didn't make sense.  'The moon.... is.... in front of me.'

Confusion racked your brain. 'Then what is casting my shadow?'  With a slow turn you look up to see something that ran your molten blood cold.  What had begun as the twinkle you hardly  noticed, had now become a seething, careening rock from the aether beyond.  

All of the sudden it became all too clear.  Why they led you this high up, why they fought sporadically with you. You had been played.  One fought and baited you higher while the other drew this extraterrestrial avalanche closer, aiming it directly at you.  

"Is it not beautiful?" Came a voice below.

You turned to see the sisters rise through the parting clouds, holding each other up, staring at you with cold indifference, horns a light with the same glow that now rumbled toward you. 

"It is a shame that this must be how we experience it."  The bloodied Sun Goddess lamented, sounding truly saddened.

What little air was up there began to crackle and the rumble had swiftly changed to a  thunderous cacophony that rattled your teeth.  You did your best to steady yourself but found you were being thrown back and forth, ultimately stuck in the meteor's wake,; trapped therein.

You looked back to the Princesses to find they had vanished, teleported, no doubt far from the blast zone.

Your eyes looked above you, the size of rock was massive, making any attempt to flee pointless.  You bellowed again, all joy gone, replaced with unbridled fury and contempt as you braced yourself for what was to come.  Over the sound that had now rendered you deaf you thought you heard one final thing.

A small voice that echoed in your mind

"You must be so lonely.  I pity you."

The meteor then hit the lower atmosphere and detonated.

—---------------------------

"Flint! Come and get it!"

You lifted your head from your pillow as you heard Cozy call you for breakfast.  Shaking yourself awake, you rolled out of bed, recalling the nice dream you were having.   'Well, nice up until the end of it, anyway.'  You made your way downstairs to the kitchen where the violet maned mare had her back to you, pleasantly humming to herself as she prepared the morning meal.  

The tantalizing fragrance of said meal practically pulled you to the table,  your stomach being empty since the few bites of apple you had yesterday afternoon.

Pulling up a chair, you eyed the earth pony before you.  The melody Cozy hummed was that of a waltz she had on record, still packed away in a box somewhere.  She seemed lost in her own tune, her meal prep flowing with her own dancing.  A flick of a spatula here, as she went back to the bridge of the melody, an in time stir of the frying pan as she went from moderato to allegro.  Gone was the look of a heart ache from the evening before,  replaced with her good natured smile she wore when she greeted each day.

'It is... good...to see her happy.'  You admitted to yourself, the ghost of a smile gracing your lips.  A feature which you quickly hid when she turned and joined you at the table carrying the still sizzling order of breakfast hay-browns and scrambled eggs with green peppers, (your favorite.)

"Morning sweetie."  She said in a sing song sort of way she always did, taking her seat next you.

"Mmhmmm." You said in a cavalier sort of way, that you always did.  Pouring yourself a cup of juice and helping yourself to a generous portion.

She giggled at your eagerness and sipped on her coffee.  "Excited for your first day at school?"

You merely rolled your eyes at this, your mouth too full to respond, but your expression seemed to send your intended message.

"Oh it won't be so bad."  She chuckled into her mug as she took another sip.  "It's a relatively small school, quite quaint really."

'Quaint.' You thought. 'She does like that word, doesn't she?'  As a realtor she used that word often to describe homes that were small and old.  You stopped chewing for a moment, and inwardly thanked the fates she didn't name you that, making note of the irony.

"I actually had a chance to meet with your teacher yesterday."  She said, digging into her own plateful.  "She seems very nice and is excited to meet you."

"Relax, Cozy." You replied, frankly. "I'll be good."

She nodded with a sigh, her smile faltering slightly at your use of her name as oppose to her title.  From the beginning, you never did call her or Sparks by "those" names, you scarce to think those words ever left your mouth, even before coming to know them.  You'd think she would be use to it by now, but each time it seemed to dim her a little.

It was around that time that your other 'parent' entered the room, a bit disheveled and smelling of battery acid and copper, a toaster under one forleg.  He began fumbling with the device and plugged it into the wall.

"Fell asleep at your work bench again, dear?" Cozy said, knowingly to her bleary eyed mate.

"Y-yeah."  Sparks rubbed the back of his mane, which was sticking out in all directions.  "But I'd say it was worth it!"  His mood switching from embarrassment to excitement as he fiddled with the knobs of the silver appliance, now sporting a few new welds and some mismatching plating, overall giving the appearance of something out of an cheesy sci-fi movie.

"I amped this baby up, cutting the time needed for toast to a quarter of the time."  Sparks was in his element as he pulled out two pieces of bread from the aptly named box and placed them in the slots.

"Is that necessary? Or even... wise?"  Cozy said nervously, subtly moving anything she valued away from the customized appliance, and motioning to you.  You rolled your eyes, and got up from your seat, knowing exactly what she wanted you to do.

"Hey, limits are meant to be broken, especially time limits."  Sparks chirped happily, adjusting the knobs again.  "And this stuff is fireproof so, yeah it'll be fine." He added, his voice a little more flat.

"Three minutes a day, seven days a week, for a lifetime? Yeah, that's like two years just making toast."  You deadpanned coming around the corner with a bright red fire extinguisher, receiving a wordless thank you from Cozy as she came up around you, a hoof resting on your shoulder, bracing herself for what was coming.

"That's the spirit, mah' boy."  The Pegasus said with a grin.  This was a usual occurrence in your home.  Sparks' love of electronics, coupled with his need to tinker often led to similar scenarios.  It wasn't that he was bad at it, far from it. Everything he 'improved' did, in fact, do what it was suppose to do.  The problem was the shear impracticality, and sense of overkill for tasks as mundane as, well, bread preparation, in today's case. You immediately recalled the past "upgrades":  A solar powered pocket watch that would in no way fit into any pocket, a vacuum cleaner whose suction could actually take paint off walls, and a flashlight that you swore could double as an X-ray machine.

"Here.....we.....GO!" Sparks pushed down the bread, simultaneously clicking his (normal) pocket watch.  Cozy's grip on you seemed to tighten as the seconds ticked by.  It didn't help that the machine was also starting to hum and rattle a little.  At the 20 second mark the toaster made a popping sound and began to smoke slightly and gave off the smell of burning metal.

"Uh, hun'?" Cozy said with apprehension, slowly taking the extinguisher from you.

"Wait-wait." Sparks said absentmindedly. "Thirteen more seconds."

It then began to physically creak as parts of the plating began to warp. The silver luster being replaced by multihued rainbow patterns that morphed into black burns that smoked and bubbled.

The tension could be cut with a knife, even you found yourself mesmerized by this ticking firebomb.

"Sparks?"

"9...."

"The plastic is liquefying off the bottom."

"It will hold...7...."

"That can't be good for the counter."

"....5...4."

"Is it suppose to be...screaming?

"It's just  the uneven heating of the metals,....2...1!"

With what now could pass for a ding, the toast shot out, causing all present to jump.  The toast itself was surprisingly as he said it would be, perfect.  Although you would need to look past the fact that it reeked of ozone, and was no doubt viciously toxic to ingest. 

"HAH! What did I tell you! Perfectly toa-" Sparks' gloating was cut off by sudden spray of CO2 that dowsed the still smoldering appliance.  The resulting temperature change caused it to screech in pain as it further imploded on itself.  After the smoke cleared the pegasus stallion was met with the stern look of his quite livid wife.  The now silent appliance reduced to something that resembled  a wrinkled jello mold.

After a brief pause, the stallion broke the silence.  "Aww come on Coz'." He said trying to shrug off the eye daggers, that were now boring into him.

"Don't even, Sparks Fly!" She bit back at him, her eyes narrowing further.

"I'll take care of the mess, I always do."  He turned to his previously molten machination examining the wreckage. "I am glad to see that the tungsten heating coils took the heat great, but I suppose I could of been over doing it with the number of energy capacitors I installed." He licked his hoof and briefly touched the surface of the slagged appliance, eliciting a sharp hiss of steam from lingering heat, causing him to quickly jerk back his foreleg.

With grunt, Cozy roughly passed the extinguisher to the stallion and huffed over to clear the table.  Sparks looked sheepishly after her, then to the heap, lastly to you.

"It was pretty cool though, wasn't it?" He said to you in a low voice, a foalish grin on his muzzle.  Not being able to help yourself, a grin burst out of you, complete with a sputter of laughter that was only grew more uproarious as it was joined by the elder colt.  Cozy, placed the dishes in the sink and braced herself on the counter, the sound of your collective laughter getting to her as well.  She turned, her own face to be scrunched into a reluctant smile that failed to stifled her own laughter.  

--------------

With a shake of her head, Cozy Homes regarded the scene before her.  This was a memory making kind of moment if there ever was one.  She was no longer mad, she couldn't bring herself to be. Her husband and son laughing in a smokey kitchen after another one of Sparks' hair brained stunts.  She regarded the stallion, remembering the nervous colt that became her special somepony all those years ago.  Their son, who, despite various challenges along the way, was growing up, and if last night's events and this moment proved anything, he was growing up right. 

She broke down and allowed herself to join into the outbreak of hysteria.  In truth it wasn't all that funny, but it was something that they all seemed to need after all the changes going on in their lives.  

In the years to come, this moment would be one that she would look back with fondness, especially considering what would follow not long after.  

But right here, right now, this encapsulated her life, her family.  And she wouldn't trade it for anything.

------------

The moment of levity began to die down after a few moments.  The mare was the first to speak through tears and left over chuckles.  "You two are absolutely..." Her comment died in throat as her eyes fell on your flank.

"FLINT!!!" It was a feat of shear impossibility.  One moment Cozy was on the other side of the room, a good ten feet away, and in a blink of an eye she was right on top of you engaging you in one of her all consuming displays of maternal closeness.

"How!? When!?" She held the hug tighter as she looked down on you with practically manic eyes.

Sparks was a little slow on the uptake, as the initial outburst had him pointing the fire extinguisher back at the ruined toaster, fearing a repeat ignition.  When no signs of danger were evident he turned and was confused until he too saw what the ruckus was about.

"Did that happen just now!?" He exclaimed dropping the extinguisher with a thud coming over to investigate.

Feeling particularly smothered right now, you desperately tried to wiggle free, or at minimum make enough room to inhale.

"Let's have a look!" Said Sparks excitedly, offering no aid to your current asphyxiation.  He carefully examined your mark, which wasn't at all awkward or anything.  

"Yeah, get a good look, Sparks!"  You half choked out, wiggling your flank in a lewd gesture, that either went unnoticed, uncomprehended,  or just ignored.

"Well would you looks at that!" He said, backing away and now addressing your other end, that was currently grinding its teeth.

"A shield and a dragon!" Cozy beamed. "This must mean your gonna help protect a lot of ponies!  I knew it! I just knew it!"  She leaned down.

"Don't you DARE!" You choked again, and once again, your words were either unnoticed, uncomprehended, or just ignored, as a series of kisses were planted on your face.

It was around the time of the third wave of affection that a knock of salvation came to the door.

"Oh!." Cozy exclaimed, ceasing her assault, and allowing you to pull away.  "That must be your friends to walk with you to school."

"I never said they were-"

"Fillies? Three of them." Sniped Sparks, some how having made his way to the door and had peered outside at the trio waiting for you.  "Cute too. That's my boy." He added, narrowing his eyes at you with a grin that only made your face redder for the cocktail of indignation and embarrassment you were currently feeling.

You merely huffed at them both and gathered your school bag. Stomping off to the door, you opened it and stepped out.  The Crusader's greeted you warmly as you wordlessly joined them, face still a little warm and scowled.  Just as you thought you were free Cozy's voice spilled outside.

"It could mean he is gonna be a guard.  Imagine that! Flint could someday protect the Princesses!"

Much like the toaster from a few minutes previous you could feel your face further buckle and deform from the rage within.  Your fur bristled, but despite a few pops and cracks from your arching back and joints, you didn't make a sound.  Your mouth was wide open as if a scream was coming out, but still no sound came.  Looking on in amazement, the Crusaders found it eerie that a pony could scream so quietly and still make their ears ring. 
> Chapter 8 The Bitter Old Dragon
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 8

The Bitter Old Dragon

It was cold, but it was peaceful. Sound was present, but muffled, literally drowned out in the hush of your tranquility.  You could feel the blood rush to your face, stinging your cheeks from the crisp water, but you welcomed it.  It was bracing to say the least, plus the day was already hot.  You could hear the voices of the three fillies, talking back and forth. Their babble further reduced to animated hollow chirps followed by a chorus of giggles.  An ache in your chest told you that your "alone time" was coming to an end. With a surge of bubbles you broke the surface.

----------------------
"-gasp-"
You pulled your head out of the cold water of the fountain in the middle of town.  The two dancing stone mares in the middle were the first sight to greet you as you opened your eyes to the now unfiltered world, mocking your dour mood with their chiseled revelry. 

"Have a nice dip?" Chirped the snarky pegasus Crusader, her voice now comprehendible, but not really missed.  "We were starting to worry." She continued dryly.  "You were down for so long, I thought Applebloom would have to give you 'muzzle to muzzle'."  She playfully quipped to her friend.  The filly in question, glared at the pegasus, and gave her a subtly shove, which only increased the orange fillies' smug expression.

You responded with a shake of your mane, allowing a fwick of water to harmlessly, but no less purposely, mist the fillies.  A squeal of surprise escaping their muzzles followed by a laugh.  You couldn't help but grin a little yourself.

----------------

"So you ready for yer first day?" Applebloom asked, wiping the droplets from her face with a foreleg. 

"Meh." Was all you could muster as you and the trio followed a white picket fence leading just outside of town, the school house, now coming into view.

In truth, you didn't especially mind attending schools.  After all, you took pride in keeping your mind sharp and knowledge retention was a prime way of doing so. If regurgitating useless "pony facts" and numbers helped in that, so be it, and it kept the older ponies happy.  The downside, was the other occupants of the school; the urchins "your age".  Their immaturity, insolence, and sheer stupidity made you physically sick.  You immediately thought of the endless stream of asinine questions, jokes that were told wrong, or were just utterly dumb, requests for "potty breaks" moments after just getting back from said "potty".  But most of all.... the...whining.  

You had to suppress a growl, recalling the high pitched squeals and pathetic displays.  In your past experiences, when something made those noises you quickly ceased them with a quick lunge to the throat and a jerk to the side. That however was evidently unacceptable, as you learned when you attempted it in preschool.

A ghoulish smile escaped your lips at the memory.  'Thought twice about squawking so loudly after that didn't you, Peach Pit?'  You thought to yourself.

"Somethin' funny?'  Questioned Applebloom, bringing you out of your reverie with a start.

"Huh?  Oh...yeah.  Just...remembering." You responded casually.

"You do that a lot."  Piped in Sweetie Belle

"Do what?"  You said, arching an eyebrow as you met the petite unicorn's quizzical gaze. 

"You say something, and then kinda zone out." She noted.  This observation earned her a glare.

"Yeah, my brother does that too." Twanged Applebloom. "Mus' be a colt thing, I reckon" She giggled at you, as you felt your cheeks grow warm.

"Well 'ahh reckin' you should keep your..."

A yelp not far ahead of you cut off your scathing rebuttal, followed by running hoof steps.  You turned to the source just in time to see a gray blur careening towards you from around the bend in the road.  The collision knocked you on your back, and rolled you twice, the grey meteor rolling with you.  When the world came to a stop, you found yourself in a rather compromising position; muzzle to muzzle with a light grey pegasus colt splayed on top of you.

You were still reeling from the hit, but quickly your senses regained their hold, followed not far behind by your trademark temper.

"...get....off."  Came out of you, as soft as a whisper, a foreshock of the quake about to happen.

The grey interloper met your eyes and merely blinked once. "What?" He stated dumbly.

"GET OFF ME YOU SLACK JAWED IDIOT!!!!!!" You screamed in his face, pushing him back with a shove and the force of your voice.

The colt moved back to his hooves, his purple eyes darting to the left and right, as you seethed at him.  You had been inexplicably struck, your personal space violated—scratch that, DE-FILED, and he revealed how dumb he was;  you were out for blood.

Bringing yourself to your hooves, you ground your teeth and stared bloody murder at this lowly wretch.

"Are you gonna hit me?"  He spoke up, once again in his high pitched voice, now adding a fourth tick mark to his "about to lose some teeth" card.

You brought your foreleg up, prepared to do just that, as hard as you possibly could.

"Right here, please."  He said, offering you his left cheek.

This gave you pause as you looked at this strangely willing volunteer for a thrashing.  Your hoof frozen in place for a second, only for your to reengage your wind up, before he stopped you again.

"Just-uh hard enough to leave a bruise on my face, I don't want a black eye." He stated plainly, leaning in a little with his eyes scrunch up. "Just enough so that I can go home for the day."

'Okay seriously, what?' You lowered your hoof and regarded the small pegasus before you.  Your willingness to hit him now gone, as your suspicion out weighed your anger.

"What is this?  A trick?"  You asked at the still squinting colt in front of you.  You a scanned around you for an adult that you where sure was meant to be a 'convenient witness' to this beating.  There were none, and for that matter, you couldn't help but notice that the general lack of any activity on the school grounds itself, the playground especially completely devoid of activity.

"Rumble?" Applebloom cautiously came up from behind you.  "What in tarnation is wrong wit' you?"

The colt, 'Rumble' apparently, screwed one eye open and looked at the filly.  He slowly raised his head.  When he was sure you weren't gonna deck him, he opened both eyes and met with the apple fillies' own.

"M-Miss Cheerilee is sick today."  He spoke in a hushed tone that seemed to cause a shudder wave, that skipped you, and washed through the three ponies behind you.

"I feel sick. Do I look sick? Here feel my forehead." The orange coated Crusader lamented with desperation evident in her voice, as she felt held a hoof to her temple, attempting to will herself into illness.

"I can't, I think I'm coming down with something." Hacked the unicorn of the group, a series of pathetic coughs to punctuate her sudden ailment.

"Ah-ah think mah cutie pox are comin' back on."  Applebloom said in a scratchy voice, oddly adding a few taps of her hooves.

Taking in the scene, you took stock of what was going on around you:
An eager candidate for a concussion,  a unicorn with a sudden coughing fit, a pegasus that was feeling flush, and a earth pony dancing a jig.

'Well, Cozy promised Ponyville would be different.' You thought as you sharply brought your previously enraged hoof to your own face in an act of utter exasperation. After a few moments of wheezing and a kick ball change, you decided to ask the question you dreaded.

"Not sure I really wanna know," you said through your facehoof, not even bothering to open your eyes and face the ludicrous sight,  "but, what in the name of sanity are you all going on about?"

"Yer new, you wouldn't gettit'."  Applebloom said as ceased her prancing and sunk to her belly with a sigh.  The others followed suit, all sharing the same deflated expression. At this, you removed your hoof from your face and waited for them to continue.

"If Miss Cherilee is sick, the that means we have a.... substitute."  Sighed Sweetie Belle, her 'fit' miraculously abated.

"Yeah...so?"  You said flatly as you narrowed your eyes at the pile of ponies, the urge to hit something again, beginning to creep it way back into your mind.

"That means," a now legitimately pale looking Scootaloo pointed a hoof. "SHE is our teacher today."

You followed the pointing hoof up to the steps of the school house where a unicorn mare stood impatiently in the doorway.  She was thin, poised, her coat, an off blue in color.  Her dark green mane had thin streaks of grey, showing her age.  The mane itself was tied back in a tight bun, in such a rigid fashion that not one hair escaped.  On her nose sat a pair of thick rimmed glasses that had a chain that was connected to a stuffy shirt and old timey corset that hugged her boney figure conservatively.  She peered over her specks at a pocket watch, in an expression of bored contempt at the timepiece.

"Bitter old dragon."

"Wha?!"  The remark popped you from your thoughts. Your eyes wide as you turned to the grey colt.

"Now you see why I was running." Said Rumble, his eyes and ears cast low, as he too slumped to the ground.

"I-I don't get it." You shrugged, recovering from your initial shock of the comment.  "What's the big deal?"

"She's awful!" Applebloom warily stepped next to you, not taking her eyes off the unicorn substitute in fear that the mare would pounce on her in one leap if she saw her.  "She's mean, no fun, and gives out tons of extra homework."

"And that's not the worst part." Said Sweetie Belle glumly coming to your other side.

Two fillies came out of the school house behind the unicorn.  One was a dark grey in color, a pair of glasses on her nose.  She came out and snuggled up to the mares legs, an act that went unnoticed by the unicorn.  The other filly was a gaudy pink in color, a silver tiara on her head.  

The pink one said something to the mare.  After a brief hesitation, the mare put her watch in her side pocket and nodded to the tiara'd filly.  With fiendish glee the filly went back in and returned with a long rope in her hooves that appeared to be suspended from the ceiling.  With devious zeal the pink filly began to tug on the rope.  The bell a top of the school house began to chime, a clear sign that class was about to begin.

The ponies behind you sighed and got to their hooves.  Each had their heads low as they made their way toward the source of the bell.  Out of the woods came numerous other fillies and colts, all with the same heavy hooves and sullen expression.  You simply followed the crowd of dragging feet up to the school steps.  The two fillies at the top of the steps seemed to be the only ones enjoying themselves as they looked out among the sea of broken spirits, with an heir of superiority.

"Good morning, children."  Said the mare in a drab, unenthusiastic drone.

In an equally unenthused chorus the school ponies around you responded.

"Good Morning, Mrs. Austere."
     
> Chapter 9 The Practiced Introduction
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 9

The Practiced Introduction

The pony children filed into the school room, the air thick with gloom as though it were a funeral.  Taking your typical seat in the back proved impossible as several children had dashed to claim these seats and were in the middle of crowding them. Some two, even three, to one seat, each vying to push the others out.  Their goal was simple; to be as far away from the front and therefore, far from the "dreaded substitute" teacher; Ms Austere, who now sat behind the desk, telekinetically flipping through papers in a dull maroon aura; a spiritless look about her.

You reluctantly chose a seat to the front left of the classroom nearest a window, providing you at least with a view of the courtyard.  It was 'pleasant' enough, and worst case it would provide a quick, albeit precarious, exit.

It also did give you a good look at the teacher's desk.  Unsurprisingly it was considerably larger and made of heavier wood.  The usual occupant, a Ms Cheerilee, had her name written on a small sign on the desk as well as a few class drawn pictures to add to the whole look.  Currently however, the surface was commandeered by the few personal effects of the mare before you.  A few pencils of varying size, were arranged in a row,  each sharpened to an equal point and all the exact same length.  A plain white feathered quill sat in its holster with what appeared to be red ink,  a taboo color in schools often associated with more than a few of your letters home.  To the far right sat a slender can, of some sort, with a funnel on the end that pointed out.  Lastly a large old fashioned basin with water and a block yellow soap, adorned the left side of the desk.  

As if on cue, Ms. Austere placed the clipboard down and began to vigorously scrub her hooves with the soap and then wringing them out in the basin.  The whole thing rather pointless as she then proceeded to walk around the desk on the hooves she just got done washing.

"Whoa, WHOA!"  -THUNK!!!-

Your reflection on her odd habit was cut short as the ruckus behind you grew to a peak. You turned to see that in the fight for chair supremacy had caused two colts to go so far as tipping their prized desk over.  The resulting crash caused the mirthless mare to finally take notice, an irritated look creasing her features.  Without any delay she produced the can with a funnel from the desk in her magic.  

"-SKIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEE!-"

The klaxon broke through the small space cut threw everyone like a knife.  Your nearness to the front already came to bite you as your ears were assaulted by the piercing sound.  You grabbed them to your head and felt your teeth grind from the shriek of the horn.  

The room was reduced to silence as the horn floated to its spot on the desk, fillies and colts were frozen in place, their own hooves to their ears, hesitant to remove them for fear of another volley of the terrible sound.  Your own ears still rang, the high pitched ding faded slowly as you glared at the mare.  'I already decided: don't like you.'  You thought to yourself as you lowered your hooves, however your ears remained folded back in your clear sign of irritation.

"Proceed to your seats, or you will stand for the day."  She said plainly, her threat coming out matter-of-factly.

The remaining children proceeded to any open seat, save for the two colts who were now pinned by the desk, one's efforts to free himself impeding the other resulting in the two making utterly no progress.

"Snails, get off!"  Griped the small pudgy green colt as he tried desperately to move out from under his gangly school mate.

The dull unicorn in question simply guffawed at the others efforts.  "That tickles, Snips!"  A series of barely stifled giggles could be heard from the class as the two continued to struggle.  The mare merely rolled her eyes and righted the desk using her magic, the pair flopping out onto the floor.  'Snips' managed to get to his hooves sooner and glowered at his slow witted friend.  His words were cut short when his eyes met with the stern looking Austere's, sending him scampering to the nearest open desk.  'Snails' was not so fortunate.

"Well? Stand up, for goodness sake."  Commanded the substitute, exasperated at the pitiful sight before her.

The stringy mustard colored colt complied.   A grin on his face as blushed.  "Heh-heh, Sorry bout that, ma'am."

"'Sorry' is not enough," Ms.Austere replied looking down at the mustard colt from her rimmed specks, "this little, 'episode', has cost us..."  she paused and removed her watch from her pocket once again, "two minutes and twenty one seconds of our day."  The watch returned to her pocket as she turned and walked to the front of the class.  "We will need to make it up out of morning recess."

This was followed by a series of groans and various other sounds of protest.  

"For that, it will be an even five minutes to make up."  She said addressing the class.  To this no sounds of protests were made, proving that this group were quick learners.  Snails took a seat directly behind you, his heavy breathing and unfocused stare already getting on your nerves.  

The pink and grey fillies from the steps, chose to sit in the immediate front of the class in the seats to your right, and we're now snickering at the slow unicorn's expense, having him sink lower in his seat, his blush returning. 

"Very well, we shall begin with taking attendance."  The substitute teacher pulled a clipboard from the desk top and began reading off names.  "Applebloom?"

"Here." Said the yellow filly raising a hoof and quickly slinking back in to her seat.

"Button Mash?"

"Yeah."  Replied a brown earth pony colt who was a wearing a strange yellow and green, propellor hat, that turned in a nonexistent wind.

"The proper response is 'here' or 'present'." Ms. Austere correctly sharply, "Sit up and take off that ridiculous hat!"


The colt quickly sat at attention and removed his headwear, placing it beneath his desk, where it still spun.

"That's better."  She said as she continue back to the list.  "Dinky Hooves?"

You took a few seconds to glance around the room, matching the names to faces as they were called off.  It was your way of scouting ahead, take stock of your surroundings, but most importantly:  seek out potential threats.

'Fifteen students total, five male, ten female.'  Already this gave you some sense of ease.  For the most part, male bullies had been your problem, still you wouldn't count these... 'fillies' out.  After all, they traveled in packs.  Taking note of that, you further broke the room down.

'Eight Earth type, stronger, sturdier, can match my limited strength, few seem bigger than me, though.'

There were only two pegasi in the room, and you had met them. Scootaloo and Rumble sat next to each other diagonally to you.  'Not as strong, but swifter, more agile.'  You further scowled at Rumble as he gave you a toothy smile from the back of the room when your eyes met. 'I haven't forgotten about you, you smug little...'

"Flint Hearth?"

You were pulled from another one of your famous mental threat sessions at the mention of your name.  A class worth of eyes fell on you and you turned to the front.  Your gaze falling to the slate grey mare.

You sat up slightly, "Present."  You complied, your tone even with just a hint of derision.

"It says here it is your first day."  Ms.Austere said glancing at, what was obviously a note from the usual teacher.

"It is."  You responded flatly.

"Very well, come up here and introduce yourself to the class then."  She said barely hiding her sigh at the what she must of view a waste of time.  Frankly, you agreed.

"No."  You said, rather frankly, to be sure.  You had no desire to speak to them or her, and you'd hope this formality could be forgone. 

Apparently, she wasn't in agreement. Her eyes went wide at your blunt, yet calm audacity.  If the room hadn't been silent before then it was now.

"It was not a suggestion, young colt."  She said, heavily punctuating your age and gender.  She came around the other side of the desk and motioned a hoof to a spot in the front of the class.  "Front and center!  Or I will drag you up here by the ear."

"I'd like..." 'to see you try' would have been the entirety of that sentence, until you remembered that you had made a promise to 'be good'.  With a small huff you moved from the desk and revised your statement. "...to introduce myself."

You stood at the front of the class feeling their huge eyes dig into you.  It was always unnerving at how big ponies eyes were, expressive, colorful, and massive.  Especially the younger ones.  Was that intended to be cute or off putting, cause both made you queasy.  After a brief shudder, you cleared your throat and began, through a gritted toothed smile, your practiced introduction.

"My name is.... 'Flint Hearth',"
"I am ...8 years old,"
"I moved here from...Manehattan, with....my...parents."
"I am a normal....earth...pony."  

Rehearsed or not, hearing yourself say these things always was difficult, so you wished to be done with the whole thing as quickly as possible.

"Nice...to meet...you."  You finished insincerely, forcing a smile that was just as hollow and practiced as the speech.  You felt the resulting silence that followed to be a sign that you had fulfilled your end of the social bargain.  You proceeded to make your way back to your seat.  Three steps into your retreat a timid female voice you hadn't heard before, came from the back.

"Y-you got a cutie mark?"

You stopped and turned scanning the room for the one who asked.  When you couldn't pin point the asker, you merely rolled your eyes and continued walking. "That's what I'm told."

"So what does it mean, anyway?"

This time you could see who asked, and they asked quite snidely.  Diamond Tiara, you'd heard her name in roll call, also you were warned on your way in by Sweetie Belle that she was "a terror".   You looked her up and down.  She was pink, she had purpled swirled hair, a tiara (go figure.), and an unmistakeable air of superiority about her.  'I don't see it' you thought unimpressed.

"A lizard? And a...trash can lid?"  This one came from her grey cohort to her right; 'Silver Spoon', also a 'terror', made worse by the fact that she was Ms. Austere's niece.  "Your destiny is pest control?"

"I don't think so,"  You said nonchalantly as you continued to walk, "your all still here."  You muttered, apparently incomprehensibly, as you returned to your desk.

You had halfway mind to snap back at them with more gusto, defend your mark, but it was obvious that this was trap.  Baited insults if you'd ever heard one, so you'd ignored it.

"It 'taint' no 'lizard'!"  Apparently someone was gonna stand up for you, for you.  Judging by that mixture of 'ain't' and 'it', it could only of been... "That's a dragon, plain as day."  Said Apple Bloom planting her hooves on her desk in indignation, on your behalf, apparently.

"Yeah!" Another voice perks up from the back.  "That isn't a trash can lid either!"  Squeaked a familiar white unicorn.

"We were totally with him when it happened yesterday!"  Spoke that last member of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, completing the circle.  This left you feeling slightly embarrassed, but more confused than anything else.  'What are they doing?'

"Wait."  It was Rumble to speak this time.  "Is this the colt you were telling me about?"  He looked with wide(er) eyes to you then his fellow pegasus,   "The one that fought off a giant monster from the forrest, single hoofed?"

"Uh huh!" Beamed Scootaloo.  "Smacked that creep right on the nose and yelled him back into the woods, it was epic!"  She said, posing with an expressive hoof in the air.

"Whoa!"

"No way!"

"That's sooooo cool!"

At this point the whole class had begun to crowd you, questions were flying at you from all over and they had left their desks and had begun to in incircle you to get a better look at your mark.  This made your hair stand on end and your ears to slump down.  You were the center of attention, surrounded and exposed, centuries of instinct told you to flee, but their numbers and close quarters made this impossible, as your exit, the open window, was also cut off.  Just as it seemed you would have to claw, or rather buck your way out, a familiar shrill horn cut though the noise and confusion.

"That will be quite enough."  Austere huffed indignantly.  "Return to your seats immediately."  The class scuttled back to their seats hurriedly.  "Another outburst like that and the four of you will be cleaning erasers during recess."  She said returning her trusty horn to the desk, this time in more centered and accessible position.  

'The four of us?'  Two things bothered you about that, one: that the initial instigators, "Pinky Tiara" and "Grey Spoon" apparently weren't included in that count, and two: you were.  You looked over your shoulder as Ms. Austere turned to the board and began scribbling math problems.  

Your eyes met with the three fillies, in addition to Rumble and a few others.  Each gave you various signs of what you guessed was support, from a nod, hoof pump, to a wink, or a combination of the three.  You really didn't know how to feel about that, but you turned to see that the pink and grey "terrors" eyed you with more of a spiteful look, which made you feel more at home. Without further thought, you merely shrugged it off and began copying the problems down, after all the day had just begun and it was already proving to be a long one.
> Chapter 10 Meeting New Faces
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 10  

Meeting New Faces

It was like being dragged by your tail for three hours.  Between Ms.Austere's lecturing, her habitual hoof washing, and the rate at which most of the children answered questions, the time went by painfully.  With the morning recess being devoured up by 'unruly' behavior, it wasn't till midday till you were able to peel yourself out of the desk.

Despite your own eagerness, you were the last one out of the room.  As you stepped out into the sun you were momentarily blinded at the change in light level.  The noon sun shined bright overhead, a wave of summer heat was already beginning to creep into the air.  You breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that in less then month you wouldn't need to attend this hovel of boredom, at least for three months, anyways.

Your now adjusted eyes, scanned the yard before you.  Groups of foals sat together at benches and tables, their various conversations lofting about the yard.  You spotted the Crusaders at a bench not far from the swing set, munching away at their various lunches, laughing with their mouths wide open.  They hadn't spotted you and at first you felt compelled to sit with them.  'Don't be stupid.' you berated yourself and instead found a nice semi isolated grove of trees to sit under where you could be as you wanted; alone.  

Shifting through your back pack you found the sack lunch Cozy made.  You examined the contents.   Carrots sticks, peanut butter and Jelly (grape, of course), juice box, some crackers, and a note:  

"Have a great first day,  I love you very much. -Mom"

You snorted at the scribbled sentiment, crumpled it up and was about to throw it off into the bushes when you heard a strange sound coming a little further in the small circle of trees you were sitting in.

"Give it back!"  A higher pitched female voice begged.  The request was only met with laughter. 

You peered around the tree and took in the scene before you.  The "Terrors" it seemed had already found their prey.  Diamond Tiara cradled a book in one hoof and simultaneously held a smaller unicorn filly back with the other.  The unicorn must of been a year or two younger, if her puny size was anything to go on.  Her mane and tail were blonde in color and her coat a grayish blue.  From here you could see that she lacked a cutie mark, and her forelegs had been recently muddied, a testament no doubt to the duo initial attack.

With a careless toss Diamond Tiara sent the book flying to her bespectacled cohort.  Silver Spoon caught the book and began going through it. 

"What are you trying to do these spells for?"  Tiara said in clear mockery.  "Everypony knows that you got a dud-horn."  Ignoring the clear insult, the little filly proceed to rush Silver and get her book back.  A valiant effort, but once again her smaller bulk was held back by one half hearted grey hoof, as the older filly looked through the book, seemingly bored.

"My sissy gave me that book." The filly said pushing further into grey hoof barrier.  "Please, give it back to me."  She said as her voice broke, as she desperately reach for her treasured possession.

'You had no business here.  The strong survive.  The weak don't.  That was what you lived by for  a millennia.  It was harsh, but ultimately, kinder.  You should walk away now.'  So why weren't you?

"Oh really?"  Silver said glancing down at the blonde unicorn.  "Your 'sissy'?"  She said in a mocking tone for the term that you could only assume was the fillies 'sister'.

-SHRRRRIIIIP-

The little unicorn gasped in wide eyed horror as one page was torn from the book.

"Oops." Said Silver Spoon with a chuckle, as the page in question was tossed over her shoulder.

"What was that page about?" Said Diamond Tiara grinning at friend.

"Levitation spells." Silver impishly beamed back, tossing the book over the now still unicorn's head.

"Oh she won't need that."  Tiara said in a tone of blissful condescension. "Won't need this one either."

-SHRRRIIIP-

Another page fell.

"Or this one."

-SHRRIIIP-

"Nope."

-SHRIIP-

The two were now having a grand time defacing the spell book.  The little filly no longer tried to stop them, she just stood their.  You could see that she was shaking, her ears low, eyes scrunched shut.  

'Walk away.'  You told yourself 'Who cares?'

-SHRIPP-

"Teleportation? Definitely not for you little Dinky." Said Diamond as another page settle into the grass.

To her credit, 'Dinky', if that was her name, didn't sob out loud, but she was crying, you could now see tears streaming down her face, wincing each time another page was ripped from her sister's book.

'WALK AWAY.'  Your mind screamed at you.

"You know? Really this whole thing should go."  Diamond Tiara raised her hoof back and prepared to lob the book down the small hill behind her that led to little more then a patch of shallow water and mud.  The cruel grin on her face quickly turned to confusion as her hoof refused to move forward.  Something was clamped down on it.  She looked back to the foreleg in question, to find...your own was attached to it.

You felt a look of surprise wash on your face as you glared at her.  You don't know when or how you had got where you are now. but, like it or not, you were a part of this now.  Quickly stirring yourself, you narrowed your gaze and violently yanked the tattered book from her grip.

"HEY!" The pink filly scowled and reared on you as you took her plaything from her.

You tossed the book to the young unicorn fillies' hooves.  She quickly picked it up and held it to her chest, all the while her teary eyes not leaving you or Diamond Tiara.  Your focus was fixed on Diamond, waiting for her to throw a punch or lunge at you.  Instead, she merely glanced you up and down and gave you a look of disgust, punctuating it with a puff at your perceived impudence.  Meanwhile, Silver Spoon looked to the book you just returned, then to her friend.

"You mind?" Tiara finally spoke, her voice full of annoyance toward you.

When you felt nothing interesting was gonna happen you turned back to your spot.  'Done my good deed for the century.' You thought, washing your hooves of the affair.

"Hey!! I'm talking to you!" She said, running ahead to cut you off.  You stopped and narrowed your eyes at her in annoyance.  She walked up to you, getting in your personal space.  "So what?  You some sorta 'tough guy'?" She poked you in the chest with a pink hoof. 

Your eyes went down to the perpetrating hoof, recalling ways you could break it.

"Let me clue you in, 'Lint boy'," she said pushing further into you with a hoof you were now thinking of removing completely.  "My Daddy, owns this town.  Whatever "dirt trap" you live in, odds are, he owns it."

You looked up and met her self righteous expression, it wavered for a moment, then focused back on you.

"You would do well not to forget it, you muddy little grease ball ." She grinned imperiously at you.

Now you just wanted to spit in her face, sadly you were rather parched, your thoughts going back to your juice box, but you doubted she would let you- 

"Look out!" A small voice squeaked behind you.
Your attention had been too focused on the one 'terror' that you failed to notice the other creeping up on you, and now it was too late.  As you turned, Silver and Tiara both shoved you down the small hill.  You fell sideways down the decline, scraping tree roots and dirt trying to get a hoof hold.  Your descent ended with a plop as you came splashing down in a mud hole at the bottom.  The sound of the duo's laughter retreating from above.  You could feel the mud seep all around your body. Your face was splattered with the sludge as you lifted yourself out of it.  

"Welcome to Ponyville."  Said Diamond Tiara with one final knock to your current situation, their cackles growing more distant.

Their at the bottom of that hill, in the mud, you stood.  The great Dragon King.  You remained their frozen, as you came to terms with what just happened.  Your eyes falling on your reflection in the shallow puddle of water and mud.

----------------

Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon passed her by.  Making a conscious effort to step on the discarded pages of her sister's gift to her, laughing all the while.  When they were gone, Dinky Hooves stepped forward.  

She was always small, from the day she was born, that's what her name meant.  Her Mommy and Daddy always made it seem like it was ok, after all, she was their "little muffin".  Even her big sister called her 'squirt' and would mess up her mane and carry her around.  When they did it, it was ok, but deep down, she hated it.  She had wanted to do magic since she was two years old, so she could learn a spell to make her big.  When she got a little older she just wanted to learn magic so that ponies would notice her, like Princess Twilight.    

The little unicorn was entranced by Twilight's story; regular Unicorn, like her, becoming a great scholar, eventually becoming a hero and then... a princess.  She dreamed that one day she would be good enough to be Twilight's student, like Twilight had been Princess Celestia's.  Someday, she would learn great magic, go on great adventures and make friends all over the world.  

After finding out she had an 'inverted horn', a birth defect that made spell casting far more difficult, even painful, that dream was almost snuffed out.  How she cried, how she wanted to just give up, but as her daddy would say 'Hooves never give in.' So she worked even harder, pushed through the pain and the tears.  It took a while but with sissy's help she was getting stronger every day, and by practicing at recess she felt more and more confident in herself.  

All that came crashing down when Tiara and Silver followed her in here today, and to make matters worse, they hurt somepony else, because of her, because she was too little to help.

She wiped her tears away, 'Be strong,' she thought to herself 'gotta be strong.'

Dinky took a deep breath, and mustered her courage.  She peered over the edge of the drop off.   Their at the bottom sat the colt who had tried to help her.  She had tried to warn him when she saw Silver Spoon sneak up on him but she was too late, and she felt worse for that.  

"A-are you okay?" She said timidly to the colt below.

He didn't answer.  In fact, he seemed frozen, his expression was blank and fixed on the pool of water he was sitting in.  Occasionally, his ear would twitch, that was the only real sign that he wasn't a statue.

"Hey, um-Flint?"  She said, remembering that was his name from this morning.  Her first impression of him then was that he was grumpy and unfriendly.  'Ponies from the big city could be like that at first' mommy said.  But the fact that he had come to her rescue showed that he was a good pony, and she would show him that so was she.

She called to him again.  Still nothing.  Putting the book to the side, she inched a little closer down the slope.  Already she could feel the soil get a little wetter on her hooves.  "Flint?"  She called to him and yet again he didn't answer.  He didn't even hear  her it seemed.  He was oddly transfixed on his reflection in the water.  She took another step when she heard multiple hoof steps behind her.

---------

'You had that coming you know.'  You thought to yourself.  'It had nothing to do with you, not a ashen thing."  Your eyes were locked with the murky reflection, just making out your old icy blue eyes and your silhouetted horns.  'Now they are probably gonna give you grief from here on in. And not just them.'  You grinned grimly at your situation. 'Their is blood in the air, your blood.'

"Flint?"

You recalled back to what you had once said about sentiment, those many centuries ago.  You had forgotten your own words and now you payed the price. 

'Stupid, so stupid'. 

"Are you hurt?"

True you don't know what came over you when you stepped in, but that was no excuse.  

'You were played again, by children no less.'  You thought bitterly. 'And for what?  To stop some worthless runt from being picked on?' You cursed your own stupidity.  'You failed at that too!'

"Flint, dude, can you hear me?"

'No, your the worthless runt'. You continue, 'You pathetic weakling.'

"HEY!!!"

-------------
A hoof on your shoulder snaps you out of your thoughts like a cannon, your anger white hot as you lunge at the owner.

"WHOA! WHOA!  STOP!!!!"  A familiar voice screams in panic, falling to his back as you pounced on top of him, your teeth bared.

After several tense seconds and cleansing breaths your mind cleared, and you were met with recently acquainted set of light purple eyes that were looking up at you in nervous uncertainty.  

"Oh good, your ok." Rumble said sheepishly, grinning up at you. You eventually lowered your hoof.  It was then you noticed a tightness had been gripped round your chest and stomach.  Looking down you saw a pair of muddy yellow hooves had been attempting to restrain you.  Looking behind you and met with the worried orange eyes of another acquaintance.

"It's okay," Applebloom cooed sympathetically. "Y'ur alright."  You allowed yourself to un-tense a little more, you could feel her chest pressed against your back, her heart was still pounding hard but slowed when you sat down.  She took a breath and sat with you, her hooves loosening but remaining in a embrace.

"You can let go." She looked up at you when you spoke.  You looked back at her hooves then to her eyes with brow raised.

"Oh! Sorry." She said quickly removing her hooves a bright red blush appearing on her freckled face.  "W-we didn't know where you were and came lookin' for ya." She said motioning to the other foal who now had caught his own breath.

"Dinky told us what happened." He said with a puff, grabbing his neck where your hoof had been threatening to crush just moments before. "We thought you were hurt, went down to help you."

"Hope you learned your lesson" you said dryly as you began walking up the incline.

You came to the top where you found Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle helping Dinky gather up and organize the pages in her book.  The blonde filly looked to you with an appreciative smile.

"...you okay?"  She said looking at you worriedly.

"I'm fine." you said rubbing your face with your only clean foreleg.  For paused for a moment when you felt something warm around your eyes. You quickly wiped that garbage out before any of them could notice, though you got the sinking feeling they already had.  

"It's not like it's the first time I've been beat up."  You said rubbing your withers, already you could feel the skin underneath your fur was scraped up.  'Granted this was the first time a girl had bested me' but you chose to keep that fact to yourself.

Rumble and Applebloom came up the hill after you, kicking the dirt off their legs as they reached the dry grass.

"Girls," Applebloom said coming to the middle of the thicket, a look of mischief about her. "I think Operation: "Sticky Hoof", has been given a green light.

The other two Crusaders gave an equally roguish look.  The other three ponies, yourself included, could only look on in confusion.

"We could use some extra help."  Said Sweetie Belle, giving a sly look to you and the others.

"I'm in."  Said Rumble rubbing his hooves together.

"Me too!" Said Dinky eagerly.

"I have no idea what you all are talking about."  You said turning away from the group, "But, I've had my fill of dealing you ponies for one day."  Turning your back you shake a little more mud off and proceed to leave the clearing.

"Oh ok, so I guess that means you wouldn't be interested in a little revenge against Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon."  You halted your steps at the sound of Scootaloo's proposal.

You turned to meet her gaze, a smug smile and knowing look about her face.

"I live for revenge."  You said allowing a small grin to grace your muzzle.

"Then huddle up, everypony."  She said as the others formed a circle that you found yourself reluctantly joining.

"Alright."  Said The bow wearing mastermind.  "Let's get an inventory check."  She said glancing to Sweetie, who pulled a convenient saddlebag from the bushes.  She opened it to reveal an assortment of items you wouldn't traditionally find in a school.

"Water Balloons?" Asked Applebloom, in her element, it seemed.

"Check." Said Sweetie producing an extra large bag of said rubber novelty items.

"Elastic?"  

"Check."  Responded Sweetie producing to large bands of stretchy material that were clearly taken from a piece of clothing.

"Funnels?"

"Check."  Once again the unicorn pulled three funnels from the bag.

"That's it?"  You said rather unimpressed. "Your going to hit them with water balloons?"

"Not 'water' balloons." Said Applebloom coming to your side, a sly smile on her face.  "Like mah Granny always says, 'Revenge is best served with, Maple Syrup!" She punctuated the odd expression by producing a large gallon jug of syrup from the bag.

You were still confused by what that even meant outside of this situation, but as the huddle once again pulled in, the voices were more hushed, and the plan was laid out, you couldn't help but grin a little at this plan.  Your method would of been going in head on, hooves swinging, but this ?  This was...different.

---------------------------
Six little ponies came out of the Ponyville school house, their heads lowered and contrite, having just spent an hour after school in detention.

Ms.Austere, came out on the steps, a serious look if she ever had one.  Two other fillies came out behind her, their fur matted with syrup and various bits of grass and twigs.  When the substitute teacher's eyes fell to them they had a look of absolute innocence and hurt.  Once her back was turned this expression snapped to a look that spoke of wrath and bodily harm toward the six ponies that stood before them.

"I hope you have all learned your lesson."  She said to the group before her.  "I will be sending letter home to your families and you will have to explain your actions to them."

Some heads hung a little lower.

"And YOU!" She said motioning to the male earth pony in the back. "I don't know, how they speak in the big city.  But we do not use such vulgarity in Ponyville!"  She said staring the colt down.  "I hope YOUR punishment has made that point abundantly clear?"

The Colt merely bared his teeth in a hollow grin, a residue of soap suds escaping his mouth, a remnant of what was done to wash his 'filthy' mouth.

'That one is a little monster, no doubt about it.' Austere Manner thought to herself.  Still, she had done what the school system would allow her to do, and she had to find a way to clean up her niece and Diamond Tiara.  With a sigh she turned and bid the girls to follow.

The syrup covered duo followed close behind their disheveled manes and coats only adding to their expressions of anger toward the departing groups of foals.

------------------


All stayed quiet the walk down the beaten path away from the school house.  However their was  a sense that any moment someone was gonna burst open with their laughter, but they knew they had to keep it contained, lest they dig a bigger hole for themselves.  As the groups of ponies rounded the corner and the school house was no longer in sight, it was young Dinky who broke the silence.

"That. Was. So. FUNNY!"  She said between bouts of giggles.  Prancing within the group with excitement.

The rest of the school ponies followed suit and breathed a sigh of release followed by laughter.

"I know! When the first ballon hit Tiara, I thought I was gonna die!"  Said Rumble his young wings fluttering with his hysteria.

"Oh! Oh!  That squeal she made?"  Chortled Scootaloo. "Priceless! Absolutely Priceless!"

"HOO-WEE!  It'll be almost worth the extra chores Applejack is gunna give me when ah saw them get stuck to each other!"  Yipped Applebloom wiping a tear away with the back of her foreleg.

"Did any pony else see that a trail of ants was following them inside?" Chuckled Sweetie Belle sending another wave of laughter through the group.

You tried to resist.  It was juvenile, lacked the real solution you were used to.  But, you had to admit that despite your initial doubts, maple syrup had never been used so sweetly.  A smile betrayed your usual composed demeanor, even a few chuckles escaped, as you and the troop of ponies made their way into town, laughing, telling, and retelling the 'grand caper' that the six of you had put into action so smoothly.  Sure you all got caught, sure you all would have to face some form of punishment from your various parents,  but the moment was truly sweet and victory was yours.

It wasn't long till You saw your house come into view and you veered off from the group toward your door.

"So, Flint?"  The crusader ringleader said getting your attention.  You turned back and saw the group of foals look at you with smile and bright (huge) eyes.  "Not bad for y'ur first day, huh?"

You hesitated, the day was out of the ordinary for sure.  Usually you would begin and start your days alone, and that's how you wanted it to be.  Sure their was Cozy and Sparks, but that was probably biological.  But other ponies were, dumb, insignificant, pieces of hair and bone, that were as fleeting and numerous as the falling leaves.  You hated them, you hated that you had to live as one of them.  But as much as you tried to fight it, and you really were trying, you couldn't bring yourself to hate these ponies.  You pondered this for a moment before you answered.

"Look, this was...." You trailed off trying to think of a word you had only reserved in a sarcastic tone.

"...fun?"  Asked Dinky, looking at you curiously.

"...yeah, alright, it was...that." You said, trying now not to look at the group.  "I'm used to doing things on my own.  This afternoon was a one time thing."  You said solemnly, yet apart of you didn't want to say it.

"Aww come on, Flint." Said Rumble coming to your side and placing a hoof on your shoulder, clearly not remembering what happened when he did that last time.  "No need to be a tough guy, we're your friends."  He said with a smile motioning to the group who beamed at you warmly.

"W-what?"  'Something was wrong with you.  You shouldn't be acting like this.'

"We're your friends, you can lighten up!" Rumble said coming closer and giving you hug as the  others proceeded closer.

"I-I've never had..." 'GET OUT OF THERE!  YOU STUPID LITTLE CRETIN!!!'

"You can always be y'urself around us" said Applebloom giving you a little nuzzle.

'DONT LET THEM TOUCH YOU!!! RUN!!!' "I-I have... to go."

You pulled away from the group and full blown ran for your door.  You could hear their voices protest, but you needed to get away, you couldn't breathe, the world was spinning, and nothing made sense.  You fumbled with the door your hooves trembling with the knob.

"Flint? What's wrong?"  Asked Sweetie Belle, worry in her voice.  You looked up and caught her reflection in the window. Next to her was Scootaloo, abandoning her scooter to get close to you.  Dinky was closer still, her repaired book slung over her back, a hoof to her mouth.  Applebloom and Rumble were the closest each was reaching toward you.  Lastly  You saw the sixth one, and unlike the rest he had terror on his face as he struggled to open the door,  but you had never seen his face before in your life.

You finally get open the door and pull yourself inside, you heart racing, your head spinning, you slammed the door behind you.
> Chapter 11 Learning from Kindness
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 11

Learning from Kindness

He was here.  You knew it, you could smell him.  You waited for him to slip up, and now there was nowhere to run.  Silently you crept forward being sure not to be noticed.  Keeping low to the ground you periodically scanned the scene for any sign of...

'THERE!'  You spring forward, eyes locked on your quarry.  The 'vermin' had eluded you for too long, and now you were closing in.  You were begrudged to admit it, but he was far more cunning than you had first thought, leading you into various traps and pitfalls the likes of which had left your body bruised and sore.  What he hadn't counted on was your persistence and tenacity to see this deed to the end.  To be sure, this was a battle of wills, and you refused to let HIM win.

A blur of white shoots around a corner to which you follow suit.  Immediately, you feint left and dodge right as a series of projectiles narrowly miss you.

"Not this time, hairball!"  You snarl triumphantly as you resume the chase.

You are on his furry heels now, a lunge forward and you could have him right by the nape.  'No, no.' You say to yourself 'Need to run him down this time.'  Recalling a similar attempt that resulted in him taking a sharp left while you sailed forward, becoming quite personal with the floor.

He was desperate now, and attempted to leap to get away from you.  In ideal circumstances that might have worked, (again), but now he was tiring and in order to properly pull it off he would need to slow down. You allowed him an initial try, to give him a glint of hope, before you sent it crashing down.  The second attempt you had caught him mid air, gripping him tightly.  You felt his heart pounding in his little frame as you pulled him to your own chest a cruel smile forming at your own skill.  This was short lived, as running full speed on all fours,  then suddenly downgrading to two was catching up to you.  Still that was a sacrifice you prepared for, as you tucked yourself to your side, holding him firmly to you, as you skidded off the floor, all the while turning to your back to absorb the impact.  What you didn't account for was the open closet you two were careening towards.

A loud crash could be heard coming from the inside of the little cottage near the Everfree.  Various animals that roamed the grounds ceased their various grazing and grooming and looked toward the commotion.  Then all was silent.

When the dust cleared, you pulled yourself out of the wreckage of the hall closet.  Your grip on the current bane of your existence, steeled.  Looking down you couldn't help but grin at the little white rabbit currently held prisoner in your forelegs.

"Thought you could get away, rodent?"  You hissed at him.  The white bunny, that went by the laughable name of 'Angel', only sharpened his glare at you.  His black doll eyes belying what you knew was impressive levels of hatred. You noticed he was even more dirty now, the dust and sweat of the chase already co-mingling with the grime his initially sullied coat sported.  

For a time the two of you remained that way, meeting each other's glares beat for beat like a scowling chess match.  The unavoidable truth of the situation, however, was growing more clear as you laid sprawled on your stomach amongst the rubble of trinkets and assorted springtime hats.  Yes, you had him.  He could do nothing to squirm free.  But your own quadrupedal nature and the need to hold him firm, lest he renew the chase, meant you were stuck there.  Unlike other animals about the cottage, your terrifying presence failed to cow him into obedience.  Threats fell deaf on his large floppy ears, and the state of his coat (and your shear revulsion of the thought), prevented you from using your mouth to carry him by the scruff all the way back downstairs.  A new tactic was called for, and you didn't like it one bit.

"So...," you began, not breaking eye contact with the lowly lapine, "...ready for that bath?"

The white wretch merely crossed his furry arms and stuck his nose up at you.  'It would be so easy to simply chomp off his head off then and...'

'Shut up!'  You thought, physically shaking the sensible, albeit gruesome act of vengeance on your current vict...

"Look!"  You said rather loudly, taking yourself and Angel a bit by surprise.  "You hate me.  I get that."  Your voice now more normal.  "Hate you, too." Angel's nose returned vertical as he attempted to further turn away from you.

"But," You said, biting at your words, "we are...both reasonable...mammals."  Though he still wouldn't look at you, you did notice his ears perk slightly.  "Their must be something...you want, to make this...easier." The little white rabbit slowly turned at you, a brow raised, regarding your proposition.  Reluctantly, cautiously, you loosened your grip, and placed him in front of you, as you moved to a seated position, still ready to spring at the first sign of treachery.

The little creature, plucked at the fur on his chin.  Your gaze didn't flicker from his form, waiting for him to run, but also slowly starting to regret giving him any choice in the matter.  A small smile slowly spread across his whiskered face, already you knew you weren't going to like this.  

---------------------

Fluttershy made her way back from the market, saddle bags filled with groceries, a smile on her face as she recalled the soothing spa date she had with the girls.  Admittedly, she felt more then a little guilty for leaving her 'apprentice' at home to watch over the animals.  She couldn't help but giggle a little at the sound of that.  It had been only a week ago that she was approached by the colt's parents, asking her to take him under her wing, and teach him how to work with animals.  At first she wasn't sure.  Her special talent with creatures came so natural to her that she wasn't sure she could actual 'teach' it to somepony.  Still, seeing him stare down that beastly bully in the meadow gave her a bit more confidence that the colt had his own natural talent with animals; monstrosities or otherwise.  Reluctantly, yet gamely, she agreed.

The initial meeting hadn't gone the greatest, she was sad to say.  The whole cottage seemed to shudder and shriek the moment the grumpy colt stepped through the door,  various animals inexplicably began to go into a panicked frenzy.  It took a almost four days, and eight bags of treats for incentive, but her animal friends soon became more calm around the ornery little stallion.

Flint needed a lot of work, too.  He was combative, short tempered, and lacked any patience.  Still, Fluttershy had dealt with similar behaviors from her animals, particularly the predatory ones.  Much like them, a calm voice and gentle touch, and a well of her own patience, seemed to be the trick for him.  Already, he went about helping her around the cottage with a lot less cursing, to no small relief to her sensitive ears.

She was going to do something different today though.  It was grocery day and she offered to take him along to run errands with the added incentive of pampering at the spa as a treat for all his hard work.  To this, he merely looked at her as if she had started speaking woodchuck.  He then declined, adding he would rather bathe Angel in rose petals and lavender all the while serenading him then go into that place.  It was then she realized, that she was really making progress with him.  How he knew Angel desperately needed a bath or his bath time ritual was a mystery to her, but she took it as a sign that she was making a difference with her teaching.  The slack jawed look of joy on his face was all the encouragement she needed to see before she left for town.

Yet all the while though, she was had second thoughts.  'Angel, the little dear, can be quite stubborn, especially on bath days.' She bit her lip nervously as her little home came into view.

'Still, Twilight said that sometimes teachers have to let their students learn the hard way, to learn real lessons.'  She reassured herself.

As much as she had faith that things wouldn't be that bad, her imagination quickened her step and she secretly prepared for the worst when she opened the door.

--------------

'How did this happen?'  You wondered as you took stock of the events that lead up to this moment in your long life.  'I used to be one of the most feared beings on the planet.  I've decimated whole armies, brought great beasts to ruin, destroyed entire cities on a whim!' 

Living as a pony child had been bad enough, but when Cozy and Sparks approached you about this whole "apprentice" thing.  You knew this was going to be trouble.

They used phrases like;

"We were talking" meaning: Talking about you behind your back, and now you are going to have to do something we suggest.

"You need structure": Get out of the house, and not terrorize the populace or scream at royals.

"Use your special talents." : Butt tattoo means something.

"We spoke with somepony in town who is willing to teach you." : Some poor sod was told a partial story about you and is now to be stuck with you until you make them cry.  

To this you could only respond as naturally as you could.  

"Get your bits back for whatever stupid parenting book your reading now." Meaning: I'm on to your game and aren't amused by it.

After Sparks scolded you for your brashness and Cozy tucked something that looked strangely like a book out of sight.  You were told the situation.

By now they had heard about your "harrowing rescue" of the three fillies from Hodag, coupled with your mark appearing on your flank, they concluded that you could learn to be a productive member of society, by working with animals.  To this you merely questioned their logic.  After all, animals hated you.  Regardless, you had every intention of running this whole thing straight into the ground, to prove you didn't like being manipulated.  That was the plan, until your first day with Fluttershy.

She was just as calm and quiet as the day you first met her, but somehow she was less annoying then other ponies you'd met.  She didn't feel she needed to fill every moment with chatter.  When it came to the actual 'work' she didn't boss you around, rather every thing she told you to do was presented not as a command, but a suggestion or a request, which you chose to oblige.  Her animals reacted just like you expected them to, but after a while she had gotten them to at least stop squawking at you.  You couldn't help but watch in awe of her expertise on creatures you would have merely crushed as mosquitos a thousand years prior.  You were more amazed to find that after five hours of being their you had not only helped her with chores, but you hadn't hated doing so.

You were also not blind to the fact that for a pony she was...attractive.  Her flowing mane and dainty grace was something you did find, overall...pleasant to be around.

Your current situation however, was an all time low.  There you sat in the middle of a living room getting your mane and tail braided and combed by a bunch of woodland creatures.  This was part of the deal you had worked out with Angel.  He would willingly bathe, as well as help clean up the mess he made throughout the cottage.  The cleaning of the house went by painlessly as you always did keep things neat.  Zerilith may have been a dragon's den but you kept it free of debris, and corpses.  

In exchange you would need to swallow your pride and allow Angel and his friends gussy you up.  You had seen them do this for Fluttershy, their grubby little mitts brushing and grooming the pretty yellow pegasus.  Now it was your turn as various birds and squirrels groomed your usual 'as is' style of fashion.  The ringleader sat on your back, his own coat a pearly white smelling of lavender.  He, however, stank of smugness.  He was currently in the act of tying a bright red ribbon in your already slicked back mane.

"Enjoy this while you can, rodent." You grumbled through gritted teeth. He merely smirked at you, and patted you on the head. You knew full well the insidious bunny was enjoying this, mainly because you weren't.

"...a deal... is a deal." You chanted over and over throughout the vile procedure.  It wasn't  as unpleasant as you thought it would have been, but that did not mean you had to like it, or not wish swift vengeance on the cotton tailed menace.

"Oh!"  A gasp immediately sent you into high alert.  The resulting lurch sent a few skittish animals fleeing.  Angel on reflex (but probably on purpose) wrapped his furry little arms around your withers as you came to your hooves.  The resulting 'embrace' must have appeared to be 'cute' as the returned mistress of the house looked upon the scene with adoration in her eyes.  Already you felt your face turn red and you puffed your cheeks indignantly.

"That is so nice!"  She said clapping her hooves together in delight. "I'm so glad you boys are finally getting along."  She said, lowering her bags and turning her back to you both.  Seeing the clear opening, you sharply jostle the little white cockroach off your back.  He lands with a thunk on the hardwood, starting another of many death glare matches before he hops over to his owner and your supposed 'mentor.'

"Everything looks wonderful, Flint."  She said walking about the room. "All the animals are fed and happy, the cottage looks spotless, and Angel,". She says looking at her little companion, who has taken his spot on her back, "looks so handsome!"  The little puff ball seems to beam at the compliment.

"Yeah well..."  You say dismissively, eager for her to simply let you call it a day and go.
With a full body shake, you undo the work the animals had done, your kempt hair popping back to its normal unkempt position.  You were having issues with the ribbon when the mare came up behind you.  

"Stand still." 

At first you were going to ask 'why' when you felt her nuzzle the side of your head.  "Fluttershy...what are y-you..."  Your voice trailed off as you slumped into her gentle grooming of your head.    You wanted to pull away, you should pull away.

'Don't want to'

'Pull away!'

'Nope.'

You ignored the turmoil in your mind as your practically melted into the floor.  In the past Cozy would often brush your mane, you had allowed it to an extent.  But she had nothing on this.

"There!" The yellow mare said proudly ceasing her enchanting touch.  It took a moment for you to register her words, and that you were slouching and your tongue was hanging out.  

"What do you think?" She said smiling at you.

"Heavenly—I-I mean...you know! Whatever."  You corrected, eyes refocusing and trying to play it off like you hadn't been reduced to a drooling mush on he floor.

This only made her giggle yet again,  "I meant what I did to your mane."

Confused at first you reached back.  Instead of your cavalier mullet you felt your hair was tied back in a modest ponytail.  The ribbon was undone and now merely binding you mane together.  

"Would you like to see?"  Fluttershy had said as she walked over with a hand mirror in her mouth.

"NO!"  Without realizing it at first you, jumped back.  You still hadn't gotten over what you saw reflected in that window that afternoon you came home from detention.  You don't know what it meant, but looking into that face haunted you.  You had since sworn off mirrors, an odd quirk to your list of habits.  "It-it feels, alright."  You said calmly.  Fluttershy's shock wore off and she set the mirror down.

"It makes you look quite handsome, yourself."  She said smiling as she started to unpack her groceries.

"Y-you think so?"  Slipped out before you could stop it.

She looked to you again, smiled that sweet smile, and nodded.  Your blushed returned at that as she went back to sorting her items, various animals assisting in putting them in their proper places.  "I think that's all for today.  Thanks again for doing such a great job today, Flint."

You composed yourself and merely shrugged "Sure."  Making your way for the exit.  Just before you open the door you looked back at the butter colored mare.  She was in the middle of humming a little tune to herself as her animals came out to greet her.   How content she was in her own serenity, how pure she was in her kindness...

'How it made you sick.'  

'No it didn't.'

Somewhere in the back of your mind you felt a twinge, like something had gently cracked.  You allowed yourself a small smile as you walked out the door.
> Chapter 12 Friends: Part 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Friends Part 1

You walked down the little stone path that lead from Fluttershy's cottage, readjusting your pack.  The sun was still high and despite summer starting in another two weeks it was rather humid already.  Passing a bird house at the bottom of the path you heard more chirping coming from their then you had an hour ago when you filled the feeders.  Turning your gaze you found that the clutch of Cardinal eggs had finally hatched, their mother and father huddled about the squawking hatchlings, proud of their work.  

'Fluttershy had been waiting for them to hatch.'  You thought as the birds chirping intensified making their hunger known to all.  'I should tell...'  You started to turn back up the path before you stopped.

'What is wrong with me?'  You now stood at the bottom of the path.  Your eyes on the nest but your attention was inward.  You couldn't deny that ever since you came to this town things had been changing.  You had been changing.

'I've shown remorse for my actions,  protected others for no good reason,  earned a 'cutie' mark that possibly reflected that, I've even made...'  You halted your train of thought as the father cardinal proceeded to vomit into the waiting mouths of his newborns for their first meal.

"Yeah...that about sums it up."  You said flatly, continuing down the path, once again pommeling back your worthless emotions. Still you felt inwardly conflicted and you didn't know what to think of it.

Pushing it to the back of your mind you contemplated your next move.  It was Saturday, so you weren't really expected anywhere else for the time being.  You recalled that Sparks had planned a party for Cozy's anniversary of living, otherwise known as a "birthday.  The party was planned for later that afternoon, an affair you were obligated to at least appear.  You weren't looking forward to the event,  a lot of loud noise, colorful sugary treats, social interaction, and false hopes:

'Blow out the candles and make a wish!'

'(Blow)...nope, I'm still here.'

Since you could vocalize your distain for such events you had avoided them personally, instead you would often find a new book or puzzle laying around your room, a gaudy ribbon adorning said item. Cozy and Sparks on the other hand seem to take great pleasure in the tradition for each other, pulling out all the stops for one another trying to out do the other each year.  Often, they attempting to drag you in on it.  The one year where your hoof prints were involuntarily dipped in paint and put into a home made card.  Another year where your ears were assaulted with those party horns and were forced to wear that ridiculously pointy hat.  Then their was that insufferable teddy bear suit!

"Guuuuuuhhhhhh."  You practically roared at the wretched memory, sending a flock of birds nesting in the trees along your path to take flight.   Recalling these attempts made up your mind to stay away from home for a few hours, at least until you were sure Sparks had no plans for you.  

-------------------------------------------
Casually, you had made it to the outskirts of town.  Crossing the small stone bridge over the stream bringing you into Ponyville proper.  Living here for nearly half a month has afforded you more than a general layout of the small town.  In the distance you spotted the giant crystal eyesore of a castle.  Looking at the buildings around it made it seem ridiculously out of place.  The older town look clashing greatly with the almost toy like appearance of the 'fortress', if it could even be called that. 

You were contemplating your next move when a voice broke through the sounds of be bustle of the streets, directed at you no less.

"Flint!" The voice too high pitched, to be Sparks, so you were safe in that regard.  Turning about you caught sight of its owner.

"Hey, Brony!"  Chirped Rumble.  The pegasus youth trotted up to you, tailed by two other colt's from school.  As the trio approached you instinctively sized up these new arrivals:

One was a brown coated Earth Pony, whose green propeller hat brought his name to your mind.

'Button Mash: enjoys playing those annoying sedentary pixel games.  Considered a "mama's colt" if the jeers from the playground were worth anything. The fact that he cries in the face of adversity might also lend to that.'

Your scrutiny then fell to the other colt.  A brown and white spotted Earth pony with a brown mane.

'Pipsqueak:  A precise, if not too imaginative name, this foal was scrawny even by your current standards.

"Dude, what you do to your mane?"  Rumble had his head cocked to the side, examining your new look, already snide grin creasing his features.

"Drop dead, Rumble."  You calmly bit back, turning away you began to walk toward the center of town.

"Whoa, harsh?"  Button remarked, and yet they still were following you.

"Naw that's ok," Shrugged the pegasus, quickening his pace and coming along side you, "I'd wanna look good too if I was getting 'private lessons' from Ms.Fluttershy."  He wiggled his eyebrows at you, inexplicably causing your face to flush.

"Did you need something?" You snarled, your exasperation evident.

"Not really,". He said as he and the others cantered about you.  "The boys and I were headed for the school yard to play a little hoof ball. Wanna come?"

"No." You responded instinctively, quickening your pace ahead of the group.

"You sure?  It'll be fun!" He said coming alongside you.

"Doubtful." You huffed.

"Come on!" Pushed Button.

"You'll make the teams even!"  Pipped in Pipsqueak, his accent, though some saw as cute, already grating on you.

Already having enough, you came to a halt and turned on the group.

"Open your ears, you mutts!"  You snapped. "Leave me al-lllllooooooo..."  Your latest tirade trailed off before it began as your throat tightened.  Your gaze was fixed on the sky just over the shoulders of the trio before you.  There, looking through the crowd, hovered none other than Sparks, a chipper smile on his face.  What made it worse was what laid draped around his foreleg.  It was a dress jacket, much too small for him, black with white stripes, an insufferably large red bow tie.

'Thats a conversation not happening.'  Immediately, your mind went into escape and evasion mode:

'Judging by the direction he came in he already was at Fluttershy's looking for me.'

"Is he....ok?"

'Have to figure something out.  At least three routes in the other direction I could take, but from the air he could spot me easily.'

"Sometime my games cartridges do this.  Have to take it out and blow the dust out."

'No, no, need to slip away subtlety, he knows all my tricks.

"Yeesh.  Anypony wanna volunteer to do that?"

"Nope."

"Eww! Dibs not!"

'Need to get away, using the crowd as cover, and go somewhere he won't expect.  But where?'

The outside world started to partially fade back in, and once again you saw the three colts as they regarded you uneasily.  In addition you noted that you were still dragging on the word 'alone.'

'Wait,' You thought, 'three ponies, my age and size, heading out of town, in the opposite direction...'

"His eyes moved! He must be coming out of it!" One of them exclaimed.

'Easier to blend in to a group.'  You reasoned, as you quickly merged back into conversation.
"....Oooooon second thought," you relented, drastically ending and changing your words.  "Might...be...f—fun."

"Ok...great!"  Rumble responded with an uneasy, but enthusiastic smile.

"What were looking at anyway?"  Button asked turning to look over his shoulder.

"DON'T!"  You said nearly tackling him and forcing him to look back at you, fear evident on his face.  "I-It's nothing."  You calmly said, slowly releasing him. "Let's-lets go and p-p-play."  A sickly forced smile spreading across your own face.  

Sparks had started flying toward the bridge, lazily floating above the side streets of town.  He hadn't spotted you, yet, but you needed to get this group moving and now.  This was going to be juvenile, but from your experience, it was full proof. You smiled wider and punched Rumble in the wither.

"YOUR'RE IT!!!"  You chirped, in a tone that could be called 'playful' as you bolted toward the school, and a stay of execution.  It took half a beat, but you soon heard the other two Earth ponies following you, laughing as the lighter steps of the pegasus colt joined in.

-------

Sparks landed in the dust trail that he saw four colts kick up.  He smiled as he recalled his own foalhood friends and the mischief they had gotten into at that age.

"Those were the days."  He mumbled to himself, as he reminisced on his past.  He couldn't help but notice that one of them looked strangely like... "No, couldn't be."

Stretching his wings, he took to the air, after all he had a party to get under way, and first thing he needed to do was track down his son and make sure he had his suit coat for the party.

"Cozy is gonna love this!"
> Chapter 13 Friends: Part 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Friends-part 2 

The clear blue of the sky filled your vision, accompanied with the sensation of falling backwards.  It would almost be serene if it weren't for the growing tightness in your chest.  The familiar rhythm of breathing in and out absent with your descent; an additional weight around your midsection only adding to the pulling sensation.  You felt your jaw hang slack; stuck in a deep, exhalation, voiding your lungs completely, and still you felt air continue to escape.

The treacherous earth rushed up behind, slamming any remaining oxygen from you in a choked squeak.  Rather uncharacteristic of you, but the lack of air to your brain made pretenses seem less like a priority.

You laid their for a moment or two, waiting with baited breath (or rather lack there of) for your lungs to reset and begin their life giving duty.  Your eyes crossed as you heavily sucked a breath in; an act so often done naturally, now made the center of your very being for it’s now sheer labored need.

Each inhale and cough became slowly easier as you felt blood rush from your head.  If you weren't already purplish blue in coat your deprived skin would surely reflect it now.

A ringing in your ears muffled the world around you as a yellow and red blur filled your unfocused vision.  The blur seemed to garble something at you, the weight from before, shifting and making it easier to breathe but not removing itself from a top you.

You continued to cough, but slowly the knocked wind returned to your lungs, and with it your senses.

“Fl-nt.  -ou -kay?”  The yellow and red blur spoke, an amber set of large eyes coming into focus, worry evident in them.

With a grunt and a shove, you rolled to a seated position and resumed righting yourself from the hit you just took.  The ringing in your ears subsided with a gruff shake of your head, dislodging bits of dirt and grass that had been imbedded into your mane.

Next to you, the little yellow road block named ‘Applebloom’ eyed you warily.  You had learned quickly that despite her size and kind nature, she was not only fast but hit hard.  

Using a foreleg you wiped your mouth.  A small smudge of red appeared on your hoof. Out of the corner of your eye you saw her shift uneasily to the sight.

“Oh!” She gasped “Ah’m so sorry, A-Ah don't know mah own strength sometimes!” She stepped forward a hoof out stretched to, console you, apparently.

Again, though you shrugged her off, narrowing your eyes, looking away from her.  Not willing to let her see you nurse even a minor injury.  The taste of blood in your mouth was cleansed somewhat as you spat off into the grass,  a stream of slightly dark pink saliva staining the well trodden field.  After a few steps you came across the egg shaped ball.

Glaring at it slightly before you picked it up and sharply whipped it underhoof to the farm filly.  She flinched for a moment, but none the less caught it deftly in her hooves.

“Your ball…”  You said flatly as walked back off to where your “team” had huddled up.

Your tongue probed the inside of your mouth, finding a small cut on the inside of your cheek where you had bitten it in the fall.  Your lungs still felt heavy as you rejoined the other colts on the hoof ball field.

You had to admit, this “hoofball” game was enjoyable; thrilling even.  The strong and the fast were rewarded with points, and the ability to chase and tackle opponents was freeing as well.  Your enjoyment was soured, however, by the fact that your team was getting utterly decimated.

Using Rumble, Pipsqueak, and Button Mash as a cover to escape Sparks had been most effective, having been able to retreat all the way to the school house without being seen.  Upon arrival though, you all had found that the field was in use.

The Crusaders, heavy one additional grey unicorn, had commandeered the field for their own purposes.  They were attempting to gain their marks in something involving a giant rubber band, a vat of unformed jello, and the orange Pegasus’ scooter.  After a brief debate; which involved one side using the “we were here first” defense and the other using the “that’s not what the field is for” counterpoint, a deal was struck to end the “uh-uhh” and “yuh-huh” deadlock.

It involved a four on four game of hoofball, fillies vs colts; first team to score three goals won the field.  You initially attempted to walk away, expressing your disinterest in such a childish game, but an impression of poultry lobbed in your direction sent you fuming back to accept.

That was nine points ago.  

The fillies apparently enjoyed the game and had since forgotten their reason for playing. Scoring two times the original cut off to your team’s pitiful one.

Spitting once more, you form up with the other colts on your side of the field.  Each was panting, dirt and grass commingling in their coats. Despite this, Rumble looked at you with a smug grin.

“That's, what? Four times Bloom’s took you off your hooves?”

You respond by merely shooting him a glare.

“She must liiiike you.” He smirked, drawing out the word ‘like’

“Keep talking like that, and the next time I get the ball it's going down your throat.”  You snarled at the snickering pegasus.

“I-I think were w-wearing ‘em down.” Wheezed Button optimistically, taking another puff of his inhaler before returning his head low to take deep breaths.

“We awre getting kiwled!” Exclaimed Pipsqueak, encapsulating the true feel of the game.

“I know it looks bad guys.”  Rumble began, another attempted to raise the morale of your “lost cause” squad.  “But...at least we got some points.”

“The only weason we got those is because Fwint threw me!”  The smaller colt said narrowing his eyes at you.  

“You. Weren't. Running. Fast enough.”  You bit back, instinctively puffing up at the speckled pony.  To his credit, he sharpened his own glare and didn't back down.

“Okay, okay, okay.”  Rumble said coming between the two of you.  “Point is:  Pip, way to take one for the team.”  He said placing a hoof on his wither, before turning to you.  “Flint...don't throw Pip.”

You merely snorted and turned away before you heard him continue.

“Alright!  I've got a new strategy.”

This was met by simultaneous groans from you and the other colts.

----------

“What do you think they are talking about?”  Sweetie Belle wondered as she studied the group of colts in the middle of the field.  Her usually pearly coat showing only a few minor blemishes from the tussle of a game she normally would have avoided if it wasn't for her friend’s encouragement.  She was a little grateful, to be honest, hoofball was a lot less crazy than attempting to get a cutie mark in “extreme jello diving”.

“Probably trying to think of a way they can live this down when we are done spankin ‘em.” Scootaloo guffawed.  Her own coat was a bit more sullied, in tribute to her willingness to “throw down” just as heartily, if not more, than the boys.

“Ah still feel bad.” Said Apple Bloom solemnly.  “Flint was bleedin’ after ah tackled ‘im.”  She traced a hoof in the dirt, her mind playing back the image of the colt she hurt.

Sweetie Belle turned and slyly grinned at her friend.  “You could always kiss him and make him feel better.”  She said before devolving into a giggle at the mere mention of ‘kissing’.

“Q-quit it!”  Apple Bloom blushed, stomping a hoof, but altogether failing to hide a little grin at the same time.

“Whatever,” Scootaloo said dismissively sticking her tongue out at the idea.  Colts were dumb after all. Returning to the task at hoof she looked back to their (surprising) star quarterbuck. “You ready for another round, D?”

“Y-Yeah!” Dinky nodded happily.  She had ran into the Crusaders earlier that morning by chance and they had invited her along to do some preparation for their latest exploit.  She now found herself using her practiced telekinesis spells to expertly launch the hoofball to her teammates on the field.  Having to hone her magic to use in the simplest of ways, this activity was quite easy, and fun!

“Great!” Scoot said messing up the younger fillies’ mane playfully, eliciting a laugh from her.  Scootaloo’s gaze lifted back to the field where the ragtag group of Colts had finally taken up their position.

-------

You lined yourself up, yet again with Apple Bloom.  The other boys had opted out being paired with her from the start, having been on the personal end of her “farm sculpted” strength you quickly learned why.  Even now you still refused to back down from her.  It was clear that you weren't as strong as she was but you knew you were more fierce, and that had to count for something.  “The plan” this time however played right to that strength of yours.  The thought, gracing your lips with a fiendish smirk as you eyes flicked from her to the smaller grey unicorn who held the ball aloft in her golden aura.

The moment arrived and you all were ready and waiting for the play to begin.  Your heartbeat fast anticipating the start, centuries of instinct held your body rigid, regardless of your form now.

“HIKE!!!” Shouted Scootaloo, the ball and its carrier falling back as the three fillies moved forward and played interference keeping the other colts at bay.  As planned, you recited the word Rumble taught you, the equivalent of what you did best: going for the throat.

“BLITZ!!!”  You charged forward, pumping your legs as you sidestepped and weaved past a shocked Apple Bloom.  Within moments you were onto Dinky’s position.  Relishing the momentary look of horror in her eyes as you came barreling down on her.  She was not your target however, as your fore legs stretched for the ball that hung in her TK. 

Either out of habit or desperation, Dinky then did something that caused you to hopelessly try to stop.  Moving the ball from your grasp she placed it behind her, leaving herself in your full forward momentum.  You're already unbalanced self frantically sought to find purchase where there wasn't any.  Opting instead to try and roll out of it, you turned your body to the side, involuntarily “hugging” the younger filly down to the ground with you, cradling her into your chest to avoid harming her.

Before you could wonder why “not harming her” would matter, the full force of gravity returned, with you tumbling down to the ground and the small unicorn tumbling on top of you.  

Then it happened.  Even with your eyes shut, you saw the bright golden aura of her still lit horn flash into your face.  For a moment there was nothing.

-----------

Sparks Fly had sat himself on a cloud, high above the school house.  He had a lot to do today, it being his wife’s special day, but he purposely wanted to make time for this.  Down below in the hoofball field he watched eight kids playing a game, his son among them.

His son among them.  He thought again to himself.  For the longest time he had worried about his boy.  He loved him, their was no doubt about that.  But Celestia knows how Flint didn't make it easy some days.  He wasn't at all like his nephews from his sister. ‘Flint was…’  He often tried to put it into words but failed to fairly capture it without feeling guilty for thinking it.

Cozy had a way of seeing anything in a good light, a way to dress things up and make them shine.  Sparks was an electrician.  Things either worked or they needed to be fixed so they did.  How he wondered how he could “fix” his angry little foal.

He was still haunted by the memory of when Flint had just learned to walk.  He was always temperamental, but now he was mobile and refused to listen, pushing his way past Sparks screaming and grinding his little teeth in a fit.  Sparks couldn't remember what it was over; something about a mirror?  Either way he had had enough.  Sparks yelled into the little foal’s face for him to stop, shaking him by the withers, roughly he was ashamed to admit.  Flint did stop screaming.  He looked Sparks dead in the eyes, for a foal he had steady eyes.  It was then that Sparks saw it for the first time, and he swore it stopped his heart.

It was rage.

Sparks shuddered at the memory, and wrapped his wings a bit tighter to himself.  Looking down to the earth below he saw that same child now frolicking with ponies his own age, every so often cracking a grin, that would, fade before he thought anyone would, notice.  He chuckled when the little yellow earth filly plowed Flint over then would carefully help him up, only for him to brush her off.  The sight bringing to mind another earth filly who would try and coax him out to play with her and her friends.

“We made the right choice coming here.”  He smiled as he watched his son play, until a bright golden flash below brought him abruptly to his hooves.

--------------


“Dinky, Omigosh!” 

“Flint, you alright?”

Hurt.  Everything hurt.  Blinking hurt, wincing hurt, you had yet opened your eyes but you knew that would hurt.  You raised your hooves and felt another body pressed against you.  Judging by how it was shivering a bit, it must hurt too.

The voices of the others were all around you growing more panicked as the seconds ticked by.  One of the voices suggested getting somepony, another argued over whom that somepony should be.  One voice mentioned ‘Twilight’ a face you didn't want to see for sure.

But just as suddenly as it started, you slowly felt the pain ebbing away.  The form on you, more than likely Dinky, started to come around too, her shivering ceasing and her head raising as she rolled off you.

“Geez, you okay, D?” A voice that could only be Scootaloo’s queried to your right where Dinky had just separated from you.

“I-I think so.”  You heard, the little unicorn say shakily, her voice a little disoriented.

You raised you hooves to rub the remaining pain away, only to find the beginning of a bruise forming above your eye.

“How’s he?” Said Button’s voice above you.

“S-s-stop talking.” You grunted breathlessly. Opening your eyes and blinking a bit before closing them again when the pain returned a bit.

“He's fine, I think.”  Came Pip’s voice flatly somewhere to your left.  The flutter of large wings coming closer set your ears on alert, as you shifted forward, sending your head reeling.

“Whoa! Everypony alright? I saw that hit.”  An all too familiar voice spoke.  It was light, but far too deep to be a foal’s.

“I'm not wearing that stupid suit.”  Was all you could say before returning your head back to the grass.  You could almost feel seven sets of eyes lock on you and wonder if you had fried your brain.

“Never mind that.”  Sparks said as he carefully pried your hooves away from your face, to which you reluctantly allowed with a huff.  “Oooh, looks like you're gonna get a black eye.”  He said with concern in his voice.

“You're gonna get a black eye.”  You snip back as you push him away and get to your hooves, rubbing the spot above your eye to dull the throbbing.

You hear him chuckle from behind you.  “Well, he's fine anyway, bout you little lady?”

She must of nodded, because Sparks expresses his relief with an audible ‘phew’.

“When I saw that flash, I thought Flint here had been turned into a toad.”  He playfully says, annoyingly poking you with a hoof as you bat him away.

“Thanks for checking on us and all,” Scootaloo says with uncertainty in her voice, “but who are you, mister?”

“Oh sorry,” he says, coming back to check on you, “I'm Sparks, Flint’s Dad.”

You can hear a pause pass.  It last for a good two beats before you manage to look up to seven confused faces that regard you and the “parent” over your shoulder.

“Really?” Questions Apple Bloom, looking between you and Sparks as if trying to connect the dots.

Not particularly liking being looked at like a genetic oddity, you decided take it upon yourself, and move things along.  “Did you need something, Sparks?”

“Huh?” He looks down at you dazed for a moment before recognition takes hold.  “Oh yeah!  I need you t-.”

“Not. Wearing. The suit.”  You get out with gritted teeth.

He opens his mouth as if to argue but then closes it again.  “...fine.  But their was something else.”

“What?”  You say bluntly, turning to face him.

“It's for your Mom’s Birthday.” He said, rubbing the back of his head with a hoof.

“I signed the card. Willingly. What else do you want?”  You say unflinchingly.

“Pick up the cake?” He says sheepishly.

For a moment, you just stared at him.  “...Fine.”  You sigh with a dejected eye roll.

“You're a good son.” He smiles and pats you on the head.

“I’m really not.”  You gripe under your breath.

With that, he gives you a small bit pouch from his saddle bags.  “That should be more than enough for the cake,”  He says before eyeing the other ponies on the field, “So use the rest to buy your friends some ice cream.”  He says with a smile.

“They aren't my..”

“ICE CREAM?”  Before you can argue, three colts and four fillies are on you, excitedly pulling and pushing you toward town, thanking Sparks and talking all at once about the flavor they are gonna get and with what toppings they are gonna drown it with.

With a wider grin than before on his face, Sparks watches the entourage of excited ponies make tracks to the bakery.  

“The right choice.”  He smiles to himself as he kicks off and continues on his mission to put together his wife’s perfect birthday.

Meanwhile, as you were being carried off by this whirlwind of impending sugar rush, all you could think of was how far you had fallen yet again.  The great Dragon King reduced to a clown who buys ice cream and delivers birthday cakes,  your subsiding headache slowly being replaced by another one.

-----------

Dinky Hooves bounced along with the others,  just as excited for Ice Cream at Sugarcube Corner.  She had all but forgotten that flash and how scary it was.  Thoughts of butterscotch ripple with sprinkles replacing the pain in her head and the word she didn’t understand….

“Zerilith.”
> Chapter 14 The Occurence
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 14

The Occurrence

The sounds of the mello orchestra music popped and hissed as the record turned slowly on the phonograph. Each pitch and din of the strings seemed to resonate through the hardwood floor, shiver up the legs of the empty desks and causing them to hum along to the all too familiar melody.  

True, this was an orchestrated cover, which had been a heavy rock anthem done by one of her favorite bands, “MantiKorr”.  Cheerilee did have a respectable image to keep after all. Still this classical instrumental rendition would serve to scratch that itch for rebellion while maintaining appearances of civility.

Her head bounced to the music passively as she continued going over her lessons for the day.  Already she could hear the potential questions certain students would have and she instinctively was going through methods she could use to ingrain the information onto them.

She was brought out of her internal preparation ritual by a knock at the door.  With start she gazed over at the clock on the wall.  

‘6:17?’

With a raised brow she made her way to the door.  It was too early to be a student.  Even the most diehard of students wouldn’t trickle in on a Monday till about forty-five past.  This new development had her mind tossing around the possibilities.

‘Could be an emergency situation,’ she mused, ‘hadn't had one of those since the Bug Bear thing.’  She bit the inside of her cheek at the thought and hoped everypony was alright. A small part of her mind considered the possibility that it could also be a trap.  Her step halted a bit as her imagination involuntarily cooked up a group of vile Diamond Dogs, waiting behind the door to nab her.   Forcing her to work in the darkness; as a prisoner and a slave.  All would seem hopeless until a certain tall, broad shouldered, soft spoken red stallion rescued her from their clutches, to eventually and ride off together into the sunset.

Her hoof froze at the knob, her face feeling a bit warmer..

‘Got to stop binge reading those Inkwell Steele novels.’ Further shaking off her more fanciful notions she took a breath put on her friendly smile and opened the door.

“Miss Cheerliee?”  Came a soft voice through the opening.

Recognition of the voice was automatic to the school teacher.  “Mrs. Homes?”

Opening the door all the way revealed the form of the one of the newest resident to Ponyville.  At first, the short haired Earth Mare had the feel of an overprotective, meddlesome mother with penchant for nitpicking over her child’s education,  but after meeting the colt, it was clear that she was more looking out for her.

She couldn't deny that Flint was bright, he read better than anypony in the class.  What he lacked was the interest in learning.  Then their was that stare that could sharpen ax blades.

Cheerilee stifled a shudder and motioned for the the colt’s mother to come in.

“I'm sorry for bothering you so early.”  Cozy said solemnly, as she stepping inside the foyer..

“No bother at all,”  said Cheerilee as she shut the door behind her. “I told you from the start, if you were concerned, my door is always open.”

“Thank...you.” the purple mare replied, as she began to shake.  “I don't think I can ever tell you how much that…” Her voice finally broke and Mrs. Homes fell to her haunches, a hoof just barely stifling a sob.

“It's okay,” The seasoned teacher soothed.  Acting quickly she came to the mother’s side and guided her to a student’s seat near her desk.  She pulled her own chair over and faced the aggrieved mare, offering a tissue.  “Did something happen?”

Cozy accepted the tissue with a thankful
nod, and dabbed her eyes.  “Y-Yes.”  She said straightening herself. “Something...I never thought would happen.”

The cerise mare leaned closer and placed a hoof on her shoulder.  “Just start from the beginning.”  She said with a reassuring pat.

Cozy took a deep breath and began.  “Well, it happened on Saturday; I spent all day Sunday talking to anypony who had seen Flint before he came home.”  She placed her hooves together the damp tissue taking residence between her slightly trembling form.  “Mrs.Cake, was able to give a gist of what happened…”

------------Two days ago---------

You were going to be ill.

Attach the word ‘violently’ to that and you could summarize how you felt at that moment.  Normally that word would of given you a sense of welcomed nostalgia, but not this time.  

It didn't take you long to learn about Sugarcube Corner, when you moved to Ponyville a month ago.  It was brightly colored and had an almost saccharine happy vibe to it.  That was enough for you to want to avoid it like a plague.

Yet, here you were.  Despite your heels dug in, you were still being pushed forward by the herd of big eyed pony children, who were oblivious to current state of revulsion.  

You bit down on the coin purse, hard, as you were pulled through the doorway.  Immediately you were punched in the nose by a frenzy of smells.  Cinnamon, flour, chocolate,  and...sugar?  You weren't sure sugar had a scent, but based on the wall to wall confections, you filled in the blanks.

Your compatriots (not friends), had already separated from you and were perusing the cases for treats. The majority were by the large windowed chest freezer featuring the multi-colored gelatinated dairy slush.  A yellow coated Earth Stallion greeted the chirping urchins, welcoming their excitement for his slop, no doubt eager for their bits.

‘My bits rather.’  You gazed down at the pouch clamped in your mouth. Looking up you see the main counter where a round earth mare smiles on at the display of easy pickings.  ‘Just get the stupid cake and get out. Let those maggots fend for themselves.’

Though you couldn't deny the solid course of action, you found yourself flinch a bit at the remark, best to get this over with and leave.  Stepping up to the counter you were greeted by a mare, her smile brightening a bit in acknowledgment to your presence, and no doubt what you carried.

“Welcome to Sugarcube Corner, dearie.”  She beamed. “You're a new face, can I interest you in something sweet?”

You substituted an eye roll for a wretch. “Don’ bovver.”  You say through the fabric.  You animatedly spat out the bag, the contents coming open neatly on the counter. “I am picking something up, probably under the name ‘Sparks Fly’.”

If she was taken aback by gruffness she didn't show it, but merely smiled on in recognition of the order.  “Oh yes the cake!  Strawberry-lemon swirl, an excellent choice. I just need to do the letters.”  

“Fine.”  You reply cooly.

“What would you like it to say?”

“To Cozy.” You stated flatly

“Oh come now,” the blue mare tithered with a smile, “you can do better than that.”

Taking a calming breath, you decide to ‘do better’:  
‘Cozy on this, the anniversary of your birth you celebrate another year of life. Yet through it all you fail to grasp the existential truth that: “life has no meaning”...”

------------

“Did he really say that?”  Cheerilee said, halting the story a bit, her mouth hung open at the colt’s cold outlook.  

“Something like that,” Cozy responded as she strained to remember all of what she was told second hand.

“That's so-”, Cheerilee began, but words failed her, at least words that wouldn't be flattering to the child’s mother.

Noticing the school teacher’s discomfort,  Cozy raised a dismissive hoof.  “But, Flint says stuff like that all the time.”

“A-Alright.”

-------

“...Staring into the abyss of another year which will no doubt mean more of the same events of mediocrity and soul crushing tedium.”

You never broke eye contact with the blue mare, scarcely blinking as you concluded your soliloquy, room was deathly still and you could feel the eyes were upon you both.

After a moment, Mrs.Cake jarred herself from her comatose state with a cough.  

“How about ‘Happy Birthday Mom?” She asked hopefully.

“Cozy.” You corrected.

“...alright, hunnie. The cake is sweet anyway.” She mumbled as she turned to the back room.

Taking a seat you glance over to the rest of the group to find that many had finished choosing their dairy treat.  The concept of ice cream made you cringe a bit.  The idea of where milk came from was bad enough, but the mammalian concept also conjured up memories of when you were a foal.

You physically shuddered a bit, trying to erase the mam-MEMORY!

“You cold?”  A high pitched voice queried from beside you, sending you reeling a bit. What you saw next would be burned into your mind worse than any nursing session.

She was bouncy.

She had a smile practically ingrained in her face.

She had blue eyes that seemed to sparkle with asinine intent.

She….was….

-----------

“Pinkie Pie?” Cheerilee said warily.

“Pinkie Pie.” Cozy answered resolutely.

“Oh...my.” 

-----------

The pink mare stared at you.  She had her eyes squinted and her nose scrunched up, seemingly taking you in.

“How did she sneak up on me like that?” You wondered as she began to circle you.  After a moment you got up and returned the favor.

You both continued to turn about one another. Until she stopped and leaned in to get a closer look at you, forcing you to lean back a bit.

“Is there a reason you're doing that?” You deadpanned as she leaned even closer than you were already comfortable with.

“Yup.”  She chirped distractedly, giving the ‘p’ an exaggerated pop as she looked deep into your eyes,....and saying nothing else.

After a few beats you were torn between spitting or biting into this lunatic’s face when she finally backed off.  She rolled her head to the side in a quizzical way before she remarked.

“Did it hurt when you fell out of the sky?”

---------

“What?” Cheerilee asked, wondering if she heard right.

“That's what I said too!”  Cozy exclaimed rather animatedly.  “It's weird, right?! Mrs. Cake just said ‘Oh, don't think too much on it, dearie.”  The indigo mare was clearly exasperated by that response, among other things she no doubt had seen and heard from the pink party pony.  A clear sign she was still very new to Ponyville.

Sympathizing with the befuddled pony herself she simply took a deep breath in.  “Believe me, it's really best not to.”

Cozy opened her mouth to argue the point, but eventually relented for now and opted to continue with her story.

----------
The world was still going on around you and yet all seemed silent next to what you had just heard said to you.

“Wh-What?” Your shock came out a hair above a whisper. “What did you just say?”  You now truly felt chilled to the bone.  She could only be referring to your ‘death’ a millennia ago.  Your felt your jaw hang slack as you looked at the curious looking mare. Your mind went into a panic.  ‘Why would she say that? What does she know? Is she gonna turn you in?  Is she an agent of the Alicorns?’

“I said ‘did it hurt when you fell,” she said with a snort, “there's a bruise on your head, silly boy.”  If she was an agent she was doing an amazing job of appearing aloof.

“That's not what you-”

“WAIT!!!” You jumped a bit as she cut you off, pointing a hoof at you with eyes the size of dinner plates. “I know who YOU are!”

‘This was it!’  You thought to yourself.  “I’m gonna have to run. Leave it all behind.”  On instinct survival mode began to kick in.  Out of your peripherals you analyzed the room, matching it up with your memory of the layout in your walk in.  It was then that you wished you had been to this place more than once so this escape could be more detailed, but within moments you had three plans to escape the building and five to get out of town toward the Everfree.

You didn't break eye contact with the wide eyed mare, who was now smiling maniacally at you.  You cautiously backed up a step taking a breath.

“YOUR’RE THE-”. You didn't give her the chance to finish.  In a heartbeat you bolted away, only to be blinded by cushion of white and red.

You heard a distorted shriek as your senses became dulled.  

---------

“He...dove face first into the cake?” Cheerilee said with a slightly amused look on her face.

“Heh-heh, yeah” Cozy’s own features betrayed a somewhat tickled look.  She had to admit that the idea of her normally stern and irritable son face planting into something he expressed to no end that he reviled, was...well it was hilarious.    “Mrs.Cake says she came out to show Flint the letters before she boxed it up, and he did a complete about face, BAM!  Straight into my birthday cake.” 

The two mares faced each other for a moment in complete silence, before they both burst out laughing.

----------------

‘……..Someone…. is going... to DIE….’

You had felt rage before.  It was your thing.  This was not rage.

This was blood boiling, tooth cracking, brain cell bursting, FURY!!!

The haze you were in was thick so much so that you had hardly moved much less removed yourself from the cool sticky confines of what you could tell was a cake. The aforementioned lemon and strawberry swirl scent that was now forcibly jammed up your nostrils, was your first hint.

Sounds of the world around you could be heard.  A scramble of hooves around you, the poorly stifled sounds of laughter coming from the pony children on the other side of the room,  and the worried squawking of the chubby mare who put you here.

As if by some comical coincidence the  entire square cake hung on your face for a moment more before it finally began to slowly peel away from your face.  To your painful displeasure, your eyes had remained open through the ordeal.  As the cake began to fall away more and more light returned revealing your absolutely vacant expression.

“Oh sweetie! I'm so sorry, are...you….” Mrs. Cake began before your face was revealed to her, making her stop cold.  Likewise, the laughter from your classmates stopped replaced by a dead silence.  You weren't sneering, you weren't scowling, you felt that much.  All you were really aware of is that at any moment, you were about to explode.  You weren't sure, but you could almost feel tiny spider web like cracks forming on the surface of your mind.

The silence was finally broken in the worst way.

“Whoopsi-daisy.”  The squeaky voiced mare spoke up, your eyes focusing on her so slowly and directly that you swore you heard a rusty hinge turning.  “Like I was saying,  I know you!  You're that little colt that moved to town with his Mom and Dad almost a month ago.  Well not quite a month more like twenty seven days, four hours seventeen minutes, and thirty one,  thirty two, thirty three seconds.”

‘........her.’  You silently turned around to face her  once more, your eyes never leaving her cluelessly jabbering form. “....her first…”

“Anyway, is it true you don't. Like. Parties?  I was gonna throw you guys a party, like the day of when you got here to Ponyville.  I always throw a welcome to Ponyville party for all new families that come to Ponyville, but when I went to ask your Mom what kinda party games and candy you liked the best  she practically begged me not to, saying that we should ‘ease you into it’.  I'm not really sure what that means but it's been killing me not to throw you a party,  are you ok?”

It had been so long since you felt this.  Wild animalistic kind of way.  It was purely predatory, purely primal, purely bloodlust.  You might of enjoyed if you weren't absolutely livid.  You lacked the hardware in fangs or claws but you were willing to look past that, you knew the weak spots.  The past kills surged through you, the squeals and screeches,  the helpless twitching, then the end.  Eyes,  throat, joints.  

You took a step forward.  

Your mouth hung in anticipation for your next atrocity as you took another step.  The pink pony still oblivious to what was about to happen to her just looked at you,  almost pitifully.

A large chunk of frosting dislodged itself from your muzzle. It fell for what could've been for a small eternity then landed neatly in your mouth.

This was enough to halt you mid step.  For the first time your eyes left the prey.  

Sensation crept into your brain.  It was dull at first like tasting metal, but only at first.  It soon changed into something else as it seemed to melt into your mouth, saliva seeming to pool onto your tongue overtaking the small flake of sugary confectionary glaze.  The sensation seemed to tickle the inside your mouth and spread a sort of warm feeling that began in your tongue and made its way throughout your very being.

“That's…”  A small voice seemed to resonate from the source of the new feeling.

‘Never mind that, keep your mind focused’ 

“....kinda…”

‘...what?’

“....good.”  The small voice finished.

---------------------

Cozy had to admit it.  Sparks had done it again.  He had thrown a party to remember.  The gifts, the guests, the music, the food and drink all her favorites, all presented perfectly as he knew she liked.  She was a luckily mare and she was already planning on how to one up him on four months for his birthday.  

As always, Flint was missing from the festivities but it brightened her more than a bit to learn that he was out playing with friends.  Actual friends!  The already festive atmosphere coupled with this fact made her positively giddy, and the apple cider didn't hurt either.

‘Note to self: Self,  Sweet Apple Acres makes the best Apple Cider EVAAAAAH!’  She warmly giggled to herself as she came to a seat by her old college roommate and her sister-in-law who were gossiping about the latest news to come out of their old circle of friends.

“...Apparently CC, has really come up in fashion world.  She working with a up and coming trendsetter from... here in fact!” Misty exclaimed happily, inviting the birthday mare into the already bustling conversation.

“I also heard she met a guyyyyy!”  Charter scandalously pointed out.  “She's really quiet about it, go figure, but his name is Silver Shil-”

The conversation, and likewise mood was overall halted with the door was callously slammed open.

All eyes fell to the entrance and the music began to skip a bit as a small figure walked in and he seemed to be shaking.

The dark blue coat and orange mane made it clear to her who it was, but the expression this pony had made him seem completely alien. ‘Is he...smiling?

The form of her son seemed take a second to realize he was being watched.  To which he seemed to simply look around the room, that same unsettling smile still on his face.

Immediately concerned, she came to greet Flint at the door, followed close behind by Sparks who had heard the commotion and seemed equally as worried.

“Flint?” She prodded, his eyes snapping to her so fast it made her jump back into Sparks arms.

“Y-you alright son?”  Her husband took the reigns of the conversation.

“Fine. Fine. Fine. Fine.” He said his voice trailing off in a way that coupled with that smile made her skin crawl.

He was silent for a time and seemed to just stare at the two of them.  Worry had been replaced by a growing sense of dread as the silence grew.  Cozy didn't want to admit it, even to herself, but she couldn't ignore the fact that her son had the makings of somepony dangerous, it broke her heart to think of it but seeing this before her brought the real fear that he had just done something truly horrific.

“...Flint...what did you do?” The question came out as a ghostly whisper, magnified by the fact that should see something stained on his face, something red.

The colt remained silent.

She jumped forward and grabbed him by the shoulders.  “FLINT!  WHAT DID YOU DO?!!!”  She shouted,  officially killing the halted atmosphere of her own party.

Recognition of the action finally registered on the boy’s face as he looked into her eyes.  “I’m-sorry…”  He whispered to her.

She immediately fell back, her pupils shrank to size of needle heads as she reeled.

“I…

...ate…

….your birthday cake.”

“.......What?” The confusion of what she just heard only further floored her.

“It was really good.  At first I was really, really, REALLY, mad and was gonna do something awful to Pinkie Pie, but then I realized it tasted so good that I ate it.  Pinkie helped and my friends, did I say friends, whatever.  CAKE TASTES AMAZING, DID YOU KNOW THAT?!!”  Flint finished what easily had to be the most he had ever said to her in one sitting, with his hooves pressed up against her chest looking deeply into her eyes, the same smile on his face.

“I-I...wuh?”  Was all Cozy could sputter out in response as she looked down into the face of the colt that was supposed to be her boy.

After a pause Sparks came to her side, an equal look of bewilderment etched on his features.  “You must of really hit your head hard, Flint.  You feel okay?”

Once again, Flint’s head snapped to her husband in alarming speed. “My head does hurt,”. He paused, a hoof coming to his muzzle as he poked at the smile on it, “my face hurts too.”

Finding her voice, Cozy spoke up, “Well, maybe you should go lie down, hunnie.”

With a sigh, his eyes fell tiredly to the ground.  “Okay, Mom.”

If the room was silent before, the very planet was now hushed.

------------------

For the final time, the story ceased.
The enclosed space of the school room was also silent, save for the patter of tears that fell from Cozy Homes closed eyes, a smile of quiet contentment about her.

“My little pony is not easy to like.”  She said without bothering to open her eyes.

“He is abrasive, cold, uncaring, and pushes anypony away who tries to show him the least bit of compassion.”  She opened her eyes and looked at the cerise pony before her. “Anypony.” 

Years of crushed feelings and unrequited maternal love poured from those eyes. Only to be uplifted with a smile.

“He called me ‘Mom’. She smiled even brighter as tears continued to fall. “I've never felt more closer to my son then I have ever felt now, and that is all thanks to you and Miss Fluttershy.”  With a beaming smile Cozy leaned over and hugged the mare before her.  Who returned the hug with her own eyes glazed over.  “Thank you, so much.”

With a chime of the clock the two separated.  “Thank you for telling me that, and I'm glad we could help.”  Cheerilee said as she returned to her seat.

“Yes, well I really should be going. It’s my turn to make breakfast this morning for the boys.”  Cozy said as she got to her hooves.  Cheerilee followed the mother to the door,  a sense of pride in her step for having a hoof in this transformation.

Cozy couldn't of felt better herself.  Even if Flint tried to deny it not moments after, then stormed off or his room berating himself.  It couldn't change the fact that she was his ‘mom’. And he had said it.

As the pair came to the door they hugged once more.

“Keep me posted on anything else.”  Cheerilee said happily as ever.

“I will,” Cozy promised, before she paused a moment in thought before she smirked to the teacher,  “think it would be wrong to put frosting on Pancakes?”

This elicited a final laugh from the two as Cozy opened the door to reveal a grey Pegasus frozen in a pre-knocking motion.

“Oh! Morning Mrs. Hooves!” Cheerilee said to Derpy.

The mare, shied away, a bit embarrassed by the abrupt meeting.  “Oh sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt.” 

“No no. It's okay,”. Cozy smiled to the Pegasus.  “I was just leaving.”  

With a nod of further gratitude to the teacher Cozy began to trot her way home.

Turning to the local Mailmare, Cheerilee renewed her smile.  “Is there something I can help you with this morning?”

“Well, I have a bit of a concern.” The wall eyed Pegasus shuffled a bit on her hooves.  “For the last two nights Dinky has been having nightmares.  And I was wondering what kind of things are you teaching the children about dragons.”

> Chapter 15 Expecting Breakfast
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 16

There was nothing.  A vast expanse of space that was black as a moonless night.  The sky, vacant of any stars making it all the more hollow and empty.  A light mist clung to the ground, creating the only discernible separation of earth and sky.  

There was nothing.  Nowhere to go, yet still she ran. She had to, she had to get away.

Through the miasma of the nothingness Dinky Hooves ran as fast as her little legs would carry her.  He was coming for her, she could feel it.  Her horn shone the way through the endless darkness as she ran.  The light served no real purpose in such a blank landscape, if nothing else it gave her a sense of courage to run through it, less she simply curl up and be engulfed by it.

With no sense of direction she may as well have, but that meant stopping and waiting to be found.  No.  As futile as it was, that would be worse.

“You shouldn't be here.”  The voice boomed all around causing her to shriek and pick up the pace into a mad gallop.  Her heart was pounding so hard she felt it would leap out of her chest, but she had to get away. 

She chanced a look behind her and her blood froze.  Fire.  Fire consuming the nothingness, and in the middle was a pair of icy blue eyes.

She wanted to run faster, but she couldn't. What began as a slight teetering became a full blown wobble and soon the little unicorn found herself skidding off the non existent ground and crashing to her stomach.  In no time the fire spread encircling around her.  The heat was so intense that she shielded her face.  A low rumble that shook everything around her caused her to whimper as she prepared for what came next.

“Stop.”

Came a voice, and with it came relief from both the heat and the fear that threatened to consume her.

Slowly, she took a chance and looked up to find an unexpected, but most welcome sight.

“F-Flint?”  Dinky looked up and saw her stern friend standing over her.  The dark blue colt seemed not to notice her, rather he appeared more focused staring down something behind her.  With a chill of realization, she turned and saw that the blue eyes were looming menacingly over them both, held by a shadowed outline of a giant monster.

With another whimper, she pulled herself closer to Flint, gripping his foreleg tightly.

“You shouldn't be here, Dinky.”  Upon hearing those words, now coming from the colt the little filly slowly raised her eyes to her friend.  To her continued horror, his once Amber eyes took on the same shade of icy blue of the beast.

-----------

Your eyes opened to the view of the ceiling of your room.  Pulling yourself up you stretched out your neck and shoulders releasing small pops as your bones resettled themselves into the proper position.

With a foreleg you rubbed any remaining sleep out of your eyes.  You hadn’t slept as well as you should have, the faint memories of lingering dreams slowing fading from the forefront of your mind. 

From the start you had disciplined your mind to be closed to dreaming for the sake of staying hidden.  Despite this though, you could feel flashes of the night before, images and sensations of running down prey coupled with an odd feeling of...protecting something.

‘You're getting careless.’ You berated yourself. ‘Any further slip ups and the royals will render you a drooling idiot, spouting out nonsense of harmony.’

Another part of you though, almost wanted them to find you; to face them and be done with it. No more hiding, just them, and you.

A glance down at your scrawny body detracted more than a bit from that sentiment.  

“World’s shortest rematch.”  You chuckled bitterly to yourself.

Rolling over you landed nimbly on your hooves and made your way out of your room.  The promise of breakfast set your course for the kitchen.  

It was Saturday once more and that meant Cozy would be spending more time on the morning meal due to her having the day off from the office.

As you approached the stairs voices could be heard emanating from your destination.

“Oh babe, that is so amazing!” Came the excited voice of your male progenitor. 

Admittedly, this mildly piqued your interest in what the mare had made for breakfast that was so quote: “amazing”.

“I hadn't expected it to turn out like it did, but there you have it, I guess.” Cozy responded in kind adding a giggle at the end.  

‘This could only mean that she was experiment cooking again’ you grumbled slightly at the thought, memories of shredded zucchini spaghetti noodles and Broccoli breakfast muffins briefly halted your step.  ‘I committed some terrible things against nature, but seriously?  At least I offered an end to the suffering and not stained it's tastebuds for a solid week.’

Still their further exuberance resumed you path down the stairs. ‘They seem thrilled enough so it can't be that odious.’

“Pretty obvious now, why you’ve been so sick lately.” Sparks said sheepishly.

‘Definitely experiment cooking again.’  You reaffirm with a sigh. ‘At least she had the decency to test this concoction on herself first.’

“Oh Sparks!”  The Cozy cooed. “I'm soooo happy!”

You rounded the corner, much to your misfortune, in time to catch Cozy and Sparks embracing each other while simultaneously sucking on each other's lips.

You decided to give them a moment to break it up themselves. When that moment quickly came and went, you decided to take a more proactive approach.

“Good grief you two. It's just breakfast!”

The ponies jumped a bit at your words but smiled none the less as they disentangled themselves from one another.

“Morning sweetie.”  Cozy was the first to speak brushing her mane behind her ear as she smiled at you.

Your only response was a cross between a ‘yeah’ and a huff as you fully entered the kitchen and sat down at the table.  

Your eyes went to the stove only to find it crisp, cool, and bafflingly devoid of food. This observation merit the raise of one of your eyebrows.

“Oh, sorry buddy.”  Sparks said noticing your confusion. “Your mom was feeling sick again this morning and wasn't up to making breakfast.” He said rubbing the mare’s hoof comfortingly.  

Despite supposedly being ‘ill’ the mare who called herself ‘your mother’ seemed rather happy, she practically glowed with the feeling.

“I ran out this morning to get her something that might help figure out what's wrong, and I got raspberry danish from Sugar Cube Corner.” He explained, before adding a wry smile. “Pinkie says ‘hi’ by the way.”

As schooled as your stoic expression was you felt your face scrunch at the mention of the manic pink temptress.  She had succeeded in breaking you down and getting you hooked on her sugary baked goods and she seemed ever so gleeful in reminding you of it.
Shrugging it off, you got up from your seat and walked over to the box.  Lifting the box lid your eyes only further narrowed as you read the glazed message the pink baker had left special for you.

Remember to Smile, Flint!
-Your friend,
Pinkie

With a bit more gusto than necessary you brought the butter knife down into the fruit pastry and cut yourself a slice.

“Sugary dope peddler.” You mutter as you placed your addiction onto a plate and turned back to the table with self loathing.

With a slight start you find your parent’s have taken a seat at the table and we're watching you eagerly.

After their gaze for a few breaths you finally speak up.  “You were so wild about this before, now you're not having any?”

“What?” Cozy looked confused before she smile and just shook her head dismissively.  “No, no, I'm fine.”

Your eyes fell to the stallion. “Oh sure, that be great pal!”  He said expectantly.  After not moving to get up and get his own, you merely growled and passed him your plate and turned back to once again face that moronic message.

“We’d like to talk to you, Flint.” Cozy said as you forcefully cut deeper into the pastry, actively severing the message apart.

“Yeah?” You said bluntly before turning back to face them at a second attempt at breakfast.

“Yes.”  Cozy said as she sat up in her place looking at you fondly.

“I don't know whatever for,”  you said gruffly as you sat and began eating, “I haven't caused any trouble lately.”

“I know and we are so, so, so proud of you.”  She said pulling you close into a hug and thus preventing you from savoring your first bite as you slightly choked on it.

As always, the hug lasted for far too long and needed coaxing to be ended.  “What did you want to talk about?”

She returned you to your seat where you readjusted yourself with a small huff.

“Flint…” Sparks asked, picking up where Cozy got side tracked to smother you, “...how would you feel, if somepony else came to live with us here.”

It took a moment for that information to sink in, and when it did you couldn't help but feel your mood turn sour.

“That senile old bat, is NOT moving in here.”  You stated with unmoving finality in your tone.

“That's...not…”  Sparks tried to respond but was obviously a little floored at what you had said about his mother.

“In any case,” Cozy said once again taking the reigns of the conversation.  “Your father and I have some news and we wanted you to be the first one to hear it.”

“Out with it then.” You barked, narrowing your eyes at the two of them.  You despised drawn out conversation almost as much as surprises, and this was apparently both of those in one.

As usual the chipper mare either ignored or didn't hear as she looked to her husband who nodded in approval.

“Well…” she practically squealed, “...you’re gonna be a big brother!”

“.........” You had not expected this.  Frankly, you were stunned.

“Isn't that exciting bud?” Sparks said coming alongside you.  “A little brother or sister, you can…” His darting eyes let you know he hadn't completely thought realistically how he was going to finish that sentence.

“You can… Hey!  A brother or sister!”  Smooth Sparks, very smooth.

Despite this, your mind was hard at work processing this latest development.  On the one hand you tried to figure out why you should care? 

‘Circumstance brought me with these two, nothing more; why should it matter if they wished to reproduce?’

Another part was...curious?

These thoughts continued to go back and forth, neither seeming to retain a dominant hold in your mind.  After a moment you looked up to realized the two were looking at you expectantly.

Taking inhaling deeply, you regarded regarded the two.

“I have made my own plans today.” You said calmly.  “We will discuss this in more detail tonight.” 

Without another word, you went to the hallway and pulled on your small saddle bag.  You reached for the knob only to pause for a brief moment to look once more at the two of them, who smiled at you. For a moment, your gaze fell to Cozy’s stomach, the sense of curiosity holding your attention there.  For a instant, the briefest instant, you felt the muscles in your face wanting to tug slightly upwards, before quashed the urge and out of the door, eager for something diverting.
> Chapter 16 Those Eyes - Part 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 17 


Those Eyes - Part 1


Despite what you said about having plans, you were in truth just more eager to leave the house. The idea of Cozy and Sparks expecting a baby was a bit of a shock but not really all that earth shattering. 


For better or worse you owed your newfound existence to those two and their union and it was only natural that they would wish to copulate more.  Still you couldn't help but lament to the idea that soon there would be another sodding pony child around you, only this one would be living with you.


Still another reason to make tracks would be that this revelation would also be a reminder of the reproduction reel to reel you saw in school, only this time the mare and stallion within had familiar faces.


“Mammals are disgusting.” You shuddered, crinkling up your nose at the confirmed biology that occurred just a hallway across from where you slept.


“What was that, Flint?”  Fluttershy asked, looking back to where you followed her toward town.


“Nothing worth mentioning.”  You replied, making a note to mind what you said.


“Alright then.” She said with a smile, graciously relenting the issue.


After leaving home you made your way toward the cottage of your supposed mentor.  Though you had scheduled times during the week after school where she would teach you, she always left an open invitation for you to drop in whenever you wished.  Though unnecessary, you appreciated the option, especially today.


Most days you would assist her with the various chores about the cottage. Along the way she would give you little tips for certain situations.  At first you thought it tedious, but still, it came easy enough.  You had to admit the first aid experience would be the most useful. No longer being able to regenerate within seconds would merit the knowledge to reset a broken limb or stitch up a deep cut.


Currently, you found yourself on a ‘field trip’ toward the local orchard. Fluttershy mentioned something about the farm was having problem with their chickens and her friend, the Stetson wearing Applejack, asked for her to come and check it out. 


“That's not too heavy is it?” She says refers to the her medical saddle bags across your back.  “I can carry it otherwise.”


“I said I would, and I can.”  Your response is not unkind but also not leaving any room for further debate.  It was getting heavy resulting in you lagging behind a bit, but you weren't about to admit that.


“Well, I appreciate you doing that, for me,” she says thankfully, “such a gentlecolt.”


The complement brings blood to your cheeks for some reason, but you shake it off by picking up your step and coming to her side properly.


“I wasn't expecting you to show up today.” the Pegasus begins as the two of you cross the stone bridge into town. “But I am glad to have the help.”


You manage grunt in response, causing her to giggle a little making your slagging cheeks burn once more.


“So what is the issue with the farmstead poultry?” You blurt out a little unevenly. ‘What is wrong with you today?’


“I'm not entirely sure.”  She says as you cross through town square. “Applejack just says that within the last few days their egg counts have dropped abruptly.” 


Despite the hustle and bustle of the market you can hear the concern in her voice, the compassion.  In the past this would of turned your stomach, and it still does, just not as much when she says it.


“Something must be troubling the poor things.” She concludes as you come to a familiar stall.  It was only a few weeks since your outburst at the local Princess here, and while nobody stares at you the less time here the better.


“...from mah experience it's best to be up front, sis.” The twang of the orange mare’s voice becomes more distinct as the two of you get closer. “Colts are a bit thick at this age.” She lets out a chuckle as tips her hat back a bit in amusement.  


“Some just seem to stay that way come tah think of it.” Applejack appears to have been in the middle of providing counsel to her younger sister, on some matter or another.


‘Will the new foal come to me for advice?’ You ever so briefly wondered, before just as quickly crushed it.


The yellow farm filly had her back to you and didn't seem to realize the two you walk up.  A wordless nod to Fluttershy says that the elder sibling did notice.  She clearly took notice of you as well, her gaze however seemed to linger more on you.  You met her scrutiny openly, and though neither of you were hostile, you got the feeling you were being sized up.  Limited though your size was, you made a strong effort to hold yourself a bit taller in response.


“Ah just don't even know where tah begin!” Apple Bloom responds dejectedly. “Most of the time he seems more ornery than a bee nest in bear country.”  Bringing a hoof down she kicks a errant rock that skitters a few feet through the dirt.


Her posture than seems to change a moment later, “But...ah don't know, Those are the times when ah think he really needs somepony the most.”  She goes quiet for a moment.


At this point you were just being patient.  You had known the filly for the majority of the duration of your time in Ponyville, and though she had her quirks, she had proven to be useful in her knowledge of the town as well as not overly irritating.  This merited her some patience to talk to her sister about whatever.


She also did have a certain charm about her-


“Well I suppose a third or fourth opinion on the matter couldn't hurt?”  The blonde maned cowpony said with a smug grin, that seemed to confound the younger pony before she turned and then proceeded to double take as she laid eyes on you and Fluttershy.


“AAaah!”  The filly squeaked as her eyes went wide.  She awkwardly backpedalled into the stand, her face a shade of red, as deep as the single apple that proceeded to fall from the stand and unceremoniously roll to your hooves.


“F-F-Flint!!? H-how...when did you?!” The filly asked wildly as you simply looked down at the cardinal colored fruit.


With a puff you heard the filly recompose herself, “Sorry, ‘bout that y’all, you just...scared me a bit.”


“Been awhile since I've done that to anypony.” You remark wryly. You proceeded to scoop up the apple and roll it in the frog of your hoof.  Despite the fall the fruit remains pristine.  It's supple flesh beckons you with it smooth texture tempting you to bite into it and release the rich juice within. Tempted yes, but you were no lowly thief.


Reaching out you return the produce back to the filly, her face still flustered but seemingly grateful as she takes it back


Your eyes flicked to the older mares as they regard the scene between the two of you.  Fluttershy appears to be tickled by the whole thing as she is grinning softly before turning away when she sees you have noticed her.


Likewise, Applejack seemed to be taking in the moment, but there was still that sense of trepidation about it that only made her stare a bit harder at you before turning to her friend.


“Uhh,” Apple Bloom begins, once again drawing your attention back to her, “so, yeah, sorry for wiggin’ out there.”  Her eyes are lowered to the fruit she now holds in her hooves.


You give a shrug and offer some reassurance.


“It's fine.”


It grows silent between the two of you. The market continues to go around you.  You can hear Fluttershy and Applejack discussing some trivial matter about another one of their friends and a gathering of some kind. ‘If they would just get to the matter about the fowl we could be on our w-’


“H-how, much of that did you..hear?”


You turn once more to see Apple Bloom fiddling with the apple, this time rolling between her hooves, her eyes still hidden by her the bangs of her Apple red hair, but her face appearing to reflect the same tint.


Her continued silence told you she actually did want an answer.  “It's not really any of my concern.”  You respond.


“But...ah feel ah should...explain.” She stammers a bit before peaking at you from her bangs.  


‘She doesn't want to talk about this, but she is going to anyway? Why?’ You pondered to yourself, confounded by her eagerness to emote. As confusing as it is you remain silent and wordlessly allow her to continue.


Only she doesn't.


Instead she seems to be looking everywhere you aren't.  Normally, this would be painfully aggravating, but you found yourself in the morbid curious state of wondering what she was going to say.


Finally, she meets your eyes. They are a curious fiery orange that seem to capture her equally fiery nature.  This pony, despite her youth, has shown a surprising resourceful nature as well as strong fortitude that belies her stature.


She breaks eye contact, and rubs her fetlock with a hoof, only now she has a soft smile on her muzzle as she continues to fumble with the apple.


“Alrighty then!”  The voice of Applejack intercedes the odd moment as she comes out from the stand.


“Fluttershy and her little assistant,” she smirks at the last part, making you wince, feeling slighted by her meaning, “are gonna head on over to the farm ‘n check the problem we've been havin’ with the chickens.”  She says, bringing a hoof to her sister’s shoulder. “Ah figure ah ‘kin stay here and mind the stall while you show ‘em to it, lil sis?”


“Ah...uh, y-yeah...okay…” Apple Bloom responds to her sister before looking back at you.


“Well git to it then!  And the other thing!”  She says the second half rather slyly with that same smug grin from before than seems to fluster the younger mare as well.


Apple Bloom hands the apple to her sister than approaches you with an in uneasy smile. With a nervous chuckle she walks
skittishly before you before regaining her full step as takes the lead heading toward her farm.  


‘What the actual slagging hell was that all about?’ You wonder about the whole experience you had just now.  Not only did Apple Bloom not explain...anything but now you suddenly CARED what she was gonna say? WHY?!


“Let's go Flint.” Fluttershy chirped from behind you.  With a jolt you were broken from you stupor and began to trot after the filly in question.


----------


Brushing the red delicious apple on her orange coat, Applejack watched the two kids lead the way back home.  She chuckled a bit at how awkward they had been and truly wondered if she too was that bad at that age.


The little colt hadn't exactly made the best first impression on her.  ‘A temper like that don't exactly gloss mah coat.’ She grimly thought taking a bite of the apple which gave off a crisp crunch.


‘Still, if he has Fluttershy in his corner, that's gotta count for something.’ Said mare was following behind, casting Applejack a knowing look as she briskly trotted after them.


Taking another bite AJ just smiled a bit.


‘They do make a cute couple though.’