Fluttershy's only goal is to protect her friends. How far will she go?
Twilight and the mane six are sent to Spurington by Princess Celestia to confront a dragon that had been lurking too close to the town for pony comfort. Once they encounter the beast Fluttershy undergoes changes she rather had not.
This was written before Starlight's reformation so there will be none of that! >:o
A lone dragon's claws ground on the granite floor of a ghastly hall. His nostrils puffed out clouds of an almost transparent white every time he exhaled. The beast's amber eyes scanned the hall searching for a specific chip in the walls, a halfway marker for his set destination. The horrible scraping noise his nails had been making abruptly ceased. His eyes backtracking to a single cavity in the wall indicating he was almost there. His stoic face changed and his lips curled slightly into the smallest of smirks.
The dragon's scratching that had just returned was clearly louder and more rapid. It was clear he wanted to end the trip down to the other side because of a certain insistent chill slowly creeping up his spine. The beast's scales slightly rattled from the heavy impact of every quick thundering step. His webbed ear frills were outstretched attentively searching for anything as small as a mouse's rapid heartbeat.
There was a slight turn in the torch-illuminated hall and the dragon halted, his eyes resting upon a heavily shackled metal door. The slow chill that had been slowly creeping up his spine shot completely up to his shoulder blades and he could feel it making the air around him damp. The dragon shivered, his wing tips slightly shaking as well, as he put a muscular claw up to the door. He could feel the anger, hatred, and betrayal emitting from behind the door and from the dark and foreboding cell. He brought his tail into his claw's reach and grabbed the keys dangling from it.
The dragon slowly pushed the key in and turned it, the old time rusted locks attached to the metal door creaked and groaned. Even more so when he pushed on it with his scaly shoulder. The scratching sound came back for a second then ceased. Chains rattled. A low bitter voice from the darkness broke the silence," So Valkoinen, dear brother, have you come to taunt me with your freedom some more?" he sneered with his lips pulled back showing all of his pearly white teeth.
The unbounded dragon shot the restrained figure a warning glance though it was countered with a cold glare mirroring back to him. "I've not come to mock you and your rather petty existence," the chains rattled and the figure shot him a look of slightly illuminated pure hatred " I've come to warn you." he said calmly.
"Warn me?" he scorned "About what?
"You're bounds will be released." he replied stoically causing the chained dragon to raise an eyebrow, his face slightly illuminated from the torch-light seeping in from various cracks in the door.
"What do you mean?" he growled then quickly snapped," This is a trick isn't it?" he let out a whoop of mocking laughter." You can't trick me." he said boldly squinting at Valkoinen.
"Trick? There is no trick." he replied calmly, his face gave away nothing causing a rumbling noise deep within the bounded dragon's throat," Your bounds will be released in a thousand years."
"A thousand years?" the bound dragon's face changed from enraged to calm, the shock on Valkoinen's face was now clear as day,"I can live through that..." said the chained dragon deep in thought quickly dissipating the unchained dragon's expression he stared at the dragon hunched up in the floor.
Interrupting the malevolent faced dragon's train of thought Valkoinen's voice echoed in the dim cell," I know that face brother."
"What face?" said the bounded dragon with a sly smirk.
"You will be defeated." Valkoinen deadpanned.
"By whom?" he flashed an evil grin toward the unbounded dragon
"By a pony." answered Valkoinen truthfully.
The chained dragon that had been inching closer to Valkoinen doubled over holding his stomach in a fit of laughter despite himself," A pony!" he managed to wheeze out. "A little pony from the "magical land of Equestria" seemingly regaining control of himself he shifted to a crouching position,"You've always had a knack for making me laugh." he sighed shaking his head having not had a laugh like that in years," So tell me, how could you "with all your power" know that some little pony will defeat me?" said the bounded dragon shooting a suspicious toward Valkoinen.
"That information is classified, but know that I have my ways. I am a king after all, Burakku, dear brother." Valkoinen circled until he was facing the heavily shackled door before glancing back over his shoulder,"Maybe you'll learn one day that size does not matter. Enjoy you're safety for now for it will not last." he opened the door and walked away though not before turning the key and locking it.
Burakku lay in the cold cell floor staring at the slightly illuminated door. He could feel the warmth of the nearest torch slightly seeping into the cell. The warmth taunted him barely reaching him. Growling in anger he slid toward the wall where he could stand on all fours somewhat comfortably. He closed his eyes and sighed listening to the faint crackle of the torch flame. The familiar sound of nothingness surrounding him.
The midnight black dragon's purple reptilian eyes opened as slits. "So, in a thousand years I'm going to be free?" he felt every fiber of his being cheer in triumph he remembered the beautiful days when he was free. The days full of murder to anyone who ever stood in his way of accomplishing his goal. He recollected the "Good Ol' days until suddenly he remembered his brother's words that had suddenly hit him full force 'You will be defeated the deadpan look made him writhe in anger. He remembered reading stories where the good guys always won and that was not going to happen. A growl escaped his throat,"This time I will be victorious." he paused then smirked,"This time I will be king!" he let the dark thoughts flow freely through his mind. Playing the thought continuously through his head of defeating this underdog. "Prophecy or not that rat little pony will die!" he laughed once more at the thought of such an insignificant being defeating him. "Don't worry, you'll death will be quick and painless..." trailing off in thought of horrible things he'd do to the pony his scaly eyelids closed over his eyes.
"Do you know how long she's been acting like this?" said a canary yellow pegasus who stood in front of a sprawled out Winona with a small frown.
"She's been like this for a day now, it's real agitatin',- is that the right word?" she paused to think before looking back up into cyan eyes," You think you could do anythin' Flutters?" said Applejack who slightly fidgeted with worry for her animal companion.
The two stood in the Apple family den, rustic treasures hung everywhere the eye could see.
"Have you changed anything in her diet lately, it seems that her stomach is the problem." said Fluttershy stroking the pet in question.
The earth pony pondered," No ah' don't reckon that we changed her dog food." the farm hick paused, wincing," Actually, Mac did feed her some leftovers after dinner last night."
"She must have gotten something her stomach didn't agree with, poor thing." she paused, pondering," If it's just food poisoning it should pass in a few days." She said looking back up to Applejack,"If she gets any worse you should take her to a vet." she finished with a nod and another sympathetic glance at the pooch. "I really wish I could do more."
Applejack faced her with a look of gratitude,"don't worry sugarcube, in fact I couldn't thank you e-"
Crash! As she finished her sentence a streak of blue shot through the window and into the opposing wall. Both ponies jumped in horror.
"nough" She finished with a sigh and looked over to the mound of blue feathers,"Rainbow" Applejack groaned," another failed attempt at a new stunt? I don't know about you but glass isn't as cheap as cloud." she questioned, glancing over to see that Fluttershy had thankfully recovered from the fright quickly and was giving the lump a worried look.
Rainbow groaned and stood up, rubbing her head."Heh, sorry, I can pay for that. But no, I was looking for you..two" She added seeing Fluttershy," Twilight wanted me to get you and the rest of the girls gathered at the castle. Said it was something real important."
"Did she tell you what the emergency was?" Asked Fluttershy.
"Nope, just told me to let everypony in the know." She shrugged," Hey I really need to tell the rest of the girls though, so.. meet there in fifteen." Rainbow said stretching her wings and taking off, leaving a rainbow trail behind her.
"Wouldn't say that's puttin' us in "the know' Mumbled Applejack as the two mares made their way out the front door and toward the castle.
Six ponies sat in their respected thrones. Five of the six were looking at the odd one out with anticipation.
"So what the hay Twilight, you told me to bring everypony here, aren't you going to tell us why?" Rainbow said with an impatient edge in her voice.
Looking up from the letter, Twilight sheepishly grinned," Sorry girls, I've been soaked up in the letter."
"A letter from the princess? Oh darling, you absolutely have to tell us what it says we haven't heard from her in forever!" insisted Rarity flailing her arms around dramatically.
"It's been two weeks, Rar." stated Applejack causing Rarity's cheeks to flush.
Twilight cleared her throat, shushing everypony in the room,"It says...
My dearest Twilight Sparkle,
My apologies for any delayed communication between us. There has recently been rumor of dragon sightings at Spurington, a small town located near Neighagra falls. He has not yet become a threat, but I worry that this dragon's presence near a pony in-habitation is not an accident. I would ask that you and the rest of the element bearers go to Spurington and find out as much as possible.
P.S. The train for your departure leaves at noon tomorrow. Be prepared, there's always the possibility you have to stay overnight.
Sincerely, Princess Celestia
"So, what do you girls think?" The five mares stared at Twilight attentively with perked ears as she finished. The gears slowly working in their heads as they processed the letter and its contents.
"Okay," said Rainbow slowly,"Th-"
"There's a big ol' dragon hanging around Spurington and the princess is worried that he might be dangerous!" she paused, gasping for air," Buuuuut, maybe he just wants a friend, but is too scared to talk to any pony!" interrupted the whirlwind of pink.
"Uh, yeah.. I guess, Pinkie." Rainbow said slightly dazed from the sudden outburst.
"Pinkie might have a point, he might just want friends." said Fluttershy looking at Twilight with a small smile.
"I don't know," Twilight said as she shrugged," It bothers me knowing that there's a dragon just lurking near a pony-occupied area. What if he's scouting? What if he's planning on attacking." She said, her breath increasing.
"But aren't dragons usually passive aggressive?" Asked Rarity raising her brow slightly.
Twilight nodded,"Your right," she shook her head, driving the silly thoughts away,"Whatever his reasoning might be we'll have to be prepared for tomorrow. You girls should get back home and start packing, sunset is only a few hours away and like the princess said, we don't know how long we'll be there. We could be more than one night for all we know."
The others nodded without argument and filed out of the crystal castle, headed to their respected homes to prepare for the grueling journey ahead.
Ponyville was often a peaceful town in the eyes of the rest of Equestria and the residents themselves. Residents accepted that this was simply not accurate now that it was known that the bearers of the Elements of Harmony all called this cozy town home. Being the heroes of Equestria it is just common knowledge that chaos will follow them. It was not always monsters and threats to Equestria that followed these ponies to aid in bad luck. Ponies will be ponies and no matter what there will be chaos and disarray. Common knowledge, that’s it. Despite that, it will always be a surprise when the bearer of the Element of Generosity or any pony wails out as if her whole day had been ruined. The birds certainly didn’t appreciate it.
Rarity was not a morning mare in the least. Of course, she woke up when her shop required it, but she hated losing beauty-sleep. Today, though, Rarity had gotten too much beauty sleep.
Opalescence jumped on the snoozing unicorn in an attempt to bug her out of sleep. The cat growled when she didn’t budge and in one swipe removed her sleeping mask. With a yelp, Rarity flopped out of her bed in an undignified manner. She lay on the floor in a pile of mane and blankets gasping for breath. Opalescence let out a satisfied meow and earned a death-glare from the pony.
With a sigh, Rarity heaved herself up into a sitting position. She glanced at the clock on her nightstand and her heart stopped. It read 11:00 and she was supposed to meet her friends at the train station in an hour. ”No, no, no, no, no..” she scrambled to stand and hurried to get ready. How could she have slept in so late!? It had to happen today of all days! There was no way she of all ponies was going to be late! In her haste Rarity had nearly tumbled down the stairs, but she quickly righted herself and rushed to the nearest mirror to apply some makeup and style her hair to perfection.
Rarity glanced at the clock that showed 11:45. With one more appearance check in the mirror, she threw on her saddlebags and a few suitcases that she had packed last night onto her back and galloped out of her shop and toward the Ponyville train station.
Applejack and four of her five friends watched as Rarity rushed to the platform where they all resided. The train to Spurington could be seen in the distance, she noted.”Hey, what took you so long?” asked Rainbow Dash with crossed hooves.
Rarity waved her hoof dismissingly,” Nothing you should be-” she paused to take a deep breath” -worried about, Dash.”
“Well there’s the train,” commented Twilight as a loud whistle sounded,”Does everypony have everything?” she smiled at the series of nods that were directed toward her. The train came to a stop and opened its cart doors. A few colts came out took their luggage and they stepped into their reserved train cart. Everypony settled into their seats and prepared for the long trip to Spurington.
The bearers of the Elements of Harmony were no strangers to travel, but even they had to admit Spurington held a charm over them similar to Ponyville. The train had finally arrived and stopped at Spurington’s train station. It took a few minutes for the six mares to fully exit the rail-bound transport. After everyone had properly stretched Twilight suggested that they find the rooms that Princess Celestia had booked for them. The other five mares agreed and they set out.
Spurington was presumably a quiet town, but with the threat of a full grown dragon looming over the residents, the air was thick to the point of being suffocating. Spurington had a similar layout to Ponyville and other small towns that were scattered about Equestria with a Town Hall in the middle and plenty of neighborhoods. The ponies were, for the most part, friendly to the mane six with the exception of a few demanding that the princess solve the problem ‘this instant’. Twilight didn’t hold anything against these ponies, though, she understood that they were unsettled.
The six friends were staying in a cozy inn that the princess of the sun had hoof picked. There was only one room that hadn’t been booked at the time and that was the giant guest room, so extra beds had been placed in there to accommodate the six ponies that would be staying there. Twilight shook her head. She as well as the others hoped that it would not take too long to dissuade this dragon.
Twilight currently sat on her bed while her friends were slightly unpacking. She gave her saddlebags a light look through just to make sure she hadn’t forgotten anything. With a sigh of content she lay on her bed and pulled out a checklist, it was not like if she had forgotten anything she would be able to go back and get it, she had already checked through it on the train a few times. The list hovered via magic in front of Twilight as she added and crossed out sentences. Feeling satisfied with her list she looked up and said,” Okay girls, I think it would be best to split up and try to get any information from the townsponies we can. Rarity and I can cover the southern part of the town. Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie, you can ask around the northern bits of the town. Rainbow I want you to ask around the eastern part of the town and Applejack you can cover the western.”
The girls nodded as they were addressed showing they agreed with Twilight’s plan.”Oooh,” bounced Pinkie “what if after we scare off this big meanie-pants dragon we throw a Thetownwon’tbeburneddownandthedayissaved party!? We can invite all of the ponies who live here and everyone will finally be happy, no more grumpy grouchy scaredy ponies!”
“Uh, sure Pinkie, we can throw a party. Right, Twi?” asked Applejack.
Twilight laughed and nodded,” Yeah we can let Pinkie throw apart-”
“Yeah!” exclaimed Rainbow Dash “When we finally kick this dragon’s rear and get to partying I’m going to finally beat you in a dance-out AJ.” she pointed to the farm pony in question with a cocky grin.
“No way, RD, Ahm not givin’ away my title so easy,” said Applejack with a playful smirk.
Fluttershy, who had been quiet for a majority of the trip, sat on her bed with a content smile watching the exchange her friends were having. She was pretty terrified of the impending dragon doom, but she knew nothing terribly bad could ever happen with her friends around.
“Okay,” interrupted Twilight “I think we should get going, the faster we figure out what's up with this dragon the faster we can throw a party and go home.” there was a chorus of agreements and the six mares headed out to find information on the dragon in hopes they could peacefully dissuade it from whatever it could possibly be planning in a peaceful manner.