Bonus Chapter 1: The Legend of Blaze the Dragon Buster; Part 1
Bonus Chapter 1: The Legend of Blaze the Dragon Buster; Part 1
So you wanna hear how I came to be a Dragon Buster huh? Why a naïve, thirteen year old, earth pony colt is crazy enough to take on dragons for the sake of keeping the innocent safe? I’ll tell you this, I didn’t come to this decision on my own, I know that much. Let’s go way back to the time before I met my new friends in Canterlot to tell you what I mean.
I was born and raised on the outskirts of Vanhoover, a little close to Galloping Gorge, probably a half hour walk to get there. My mom and pop were pretty cool ponies. Pops was actually a pegasus who liked to race; his name was Sunny Fullthruster, who had orange eyes, a yellow coat, and red mane and tail with yellow tips. He mostly won silver and bronze medals in his races, but there was only one time he got the gold, which was the last time he raced before he retired to take care of my mom, Pepper Fullthruster. She was an earth pony who had a bright orange coat, a lighter version of the same color on her mane and tail, and blue eyes while she grew bell peppers to sell in Vanhoover’s market. I still didn’t get any details on how I came along, but Mom said I was also part of the reason why Pops retired from racing. When I got old enough, the three of us would help grow bell peppers in the orchard beside our house. Red peppers, yellow peppers, orange, green, jalapeno, we had them all. We only worried about taking care of them early in the morning before Pops would coach high school track while Mom homeschooled me a little, and did housework afterward while I played.
One day I decided to explore Galloping Gorge, and check out all the cool gems that I saw embedded on the rocks. I got curious to what’s beyond the gorge as I walked further out before I got to a large cave. I went inside, having a harder time to see as things got darker, and my hooves made echoes in the cavern with each step. Sometime later, I bumped into something strange with an ‘OOF!’ It felt smooth, but hard as I moved my hands to get the slippery-like, ridged texture. I noticed it was rising and falling slowly, like it was breathing, which meant that this was alive. I scooted quietly as I felt my way through to find the rocky wall to help me lead my way out. I could only guess whatever this thing was, it was sleeping, and I didn’t want to bother it. As I moved, I noticed the rise and fall movement wasn’t as noticeable, and it was getting smaller judging by the roundness before I got my hand into some kind of hole. It was moist, slimy, and warm as air was coming in and out of it against my arm. That contact somehow got whatever I was touching jerk a little before I saw a glowing orb that slowly opened up, revealing a large, amber colored eye with its pupil slit as it dilated. It looked towards me before I felt a hard blow of warm air against my arm. We stared at each other for a few moments before the being spoke.
“Pardon me young one, but would you mind if you could move your arm out of my nose?” The being asked, which I assume was male from his throaty, deep, almost loud voice.
It was then that I realized what I was doing before I slowly pulled my arm out, and saw it slightly wet, damp, and slimy. The only reaction I could make out was the following: “Eeeew, was I picking your nose?” I asked in disgust before I shook some of the slime off, and wiped what I could on my clothes.
The being laughed heartily at my reaction before he spoke. “It would seem so. What brings you to my cave young one?”
“Oh this is your cave?” I asked. “I’m sorry, I was walking up here, and I got curious to see what was inside. Say, who or what are you anyway? I don’t think I’ve seen you around here before.”
“I am called Golick, and as for what I am, you may be frightened to know,” he replied.
“Why would I be frightened?” I asked in confusion. “You seem okay if you aren’t bothered by me intruding your cave and picking your nose on accident.”
Golick chuckled again before he answered. “Perhaps, but I have come across some who would run away at the sight of my kind.”
“Well that’s sort of rude,” I interjected. “I bet you didn’t even get a chance to introduce yourself before they ran off. Mom would always tell me ‘don’t judge a book by its cover,’ and I’ve said hello to everyone I come across in different sizes or shapes ever since.”
“Your mother sounds like a kind one, but I’m sure she would make an exception for someone like me,” he argued.
“Tell you what, if you can show me what you are, I promise to not run away, and introduce myself like a good pony should,” I propositioned with a big smile.
“Alright, but you may want to stand back, and I won’t blame you if you do decide to run away,” he replied before I did as he suggested and stood against the cave wall.
The pair of glowing amber eyes rose high up before they looked at a certain direction. Suddenly, I heard him sucking in air before he blew, and yellow flames were shooting out of his mouth that lit up several lanterns that were hanging on the cavern ceiling. Once they lit up the room enough, I got a good look at the being in the cave, and it was at that moment that I found... The very first dragon I had come across in my life.
I stood there in awe at the large being in the room. His yellowish gold scales glimmered in the flames’ light, along with his pale yellow underbelly that looked more sensitive compared to the rest of his body. His folded, leather-like wings were the same color as his eyes, as well as the spikes that went from his tail, up to the back of his head. Two amber horns were sticking out of his head, and flowed to the back like the spikes on his spine. He also had a long, gray-silver beard that looked to be as long as I was. I didn’t know what dragons were at the time, and as he looked down to me, waiting for some kind of response, a part of me was screaming in my head to run away, but I was frozen stiff not from fear, but from admiration of the strength he portrayed in his appearance. “This. Is. AWESOME!” I exclaimed with excitement and a big grin as my voice echoed in the caves. “You are HUGE!”
“… Yes, I am indeed ‘huge,’” Golick responded. “Are you not afraid of my appearance? Do you not know what I am?”
“Nope!” I replied with the same excitement.
“I am a dragon. A fierce, fire breathing creature that soars in the skies, hoard gems for nourishment, and live for many decades, centuries, and even millennia,” Golick explained. “Do these things not bring fear to your soul?”
“Nope!” I repeated the same way as before. “In fact, I think it’s awesome that you can do all of those things, especially the eating gems and fire breathing part like you did earlier, that was really cool!”
His eyes widened at my response before he asked. “What is your name young one?”
“Oh yeah! I forgot I still need to introduce myself!” I replied before I clear my throat. “I’m Blaze Fullthruster! It’s a pleasure to meet you Golick!” I greeted before I stuck my hand out front.
He looked shock at my introduction before I saw his mouth curved up a little in a smile, and reached his large talon to my hand where his shake was small compared to mine. “A pleasure to meet you as well, Blaze Fullthruster,” he replied before he pulled his talon back, and came to a sitting position while I sat down in place.
“So what are you doing in this cave?” I asked out of curiosity. “Should you be flying in the skies like you mentioned how dragons do?”
“Truth be told, I’ve lived long enough to start getting weary,” Golick admitted. “I could only fly for so long before I grow tired and come back here to my home.”
“Do you have any family who wonder where you are?” I asked.
“Dragons live on their own once they reach at a certain age,” he replied. “Even so, I was born with no parents in my kind to help raise and guide me the ways of my kin. I had to learn that on my own.”
“That’s rough,” I commented. “What about friends? Do you have any of those?”
“I had so few in my lifetime that have passed away long ago,” he replied in the same tone as before, as if he wasn’t bothered by it. “Most of my kin aren’t as welcoming or accepting as I am, so I have not associated with very many.”
“They kind of sound like jerks as far as I’m hearing right now,” I said. “You’re an awesome dragon! They’d be crazy to not make friends with you,” I looked up in thought before I gasped at an idea. “Hey! Since you don’t have family or friends, why I don’t be part of both for ya?”
Golick raised an eyebrow in confusion. “I don’t think I follow Blaze,” he said.
“Truth be told, though I say hello to everyone, I don’t really have many close friends,” I admitted. “Not to mention Mom’s the only one around the house that’s far away from Vanhoover, Pops is in town most of the day coaching racers, and I play by myself out in the fields most of the time. So how about that we not only become friends, but you can be part of my family? You could be my Uncle Golick if you’d like.”
He seemed surprised at the offer, but smiled once more before responding. “I would like that very much Blaze, and Uncle Golick has a nice ring to it as well.”
“Right? That’s why I picked that!” I exclaimed with a big grin before I stood up. “Okay, I should probably get back home before Mom gets worried. You mind if I see you here tomorrow?”
“Not at all,” he responded. “I won’t be going anywhere for quite a while, and having company is always welcome in my cave. I suggest you don’t tell your parents about me however, as I’m sure they’ll be worried that you’re seeing a dragon in the gorge. If they know about my kin, I’m sure they’d be most displeased.”
“Oki doki then!” I exclaimed happily before I ran out of the cave. “See you later Uncle Golick!” I yelled as the message echoed in the cave while I was on my way home.
And that was how I made my very first friend, and gained a new uncle that we’d talked, hung out, and played together for many times to come.
Bonus Chapter 2: The Legend of Blaze the Dragon Buster; Part 2
Bonus Chapter 2: The Legend of Blaze the Dragon Buster; Part 2
Over the next couple years, I went to Uncle Golick’s cave after I finish the garden and school work to play, and listen to many things about his dragon kind he had told me. I learned how dragons possess a different kind of magic compared to us ponies, how there were those who fly, those who only walk on land, and some even thrive in water (those have an entirely different diet compared to most who eat gems by the way). He would tell me how dragons grow and mature, how their greed to hoard becomes hard to control at a certain age, how they’re dangerous at that time, and only special circumstances are needed in order for them to retain control. After that, they’re actually able to change their body size and structure from standing and walking on two legs, to all fours for a while until they stick with one form long enough to not change anymore. Most dragons would end up on all fours as far as Uncle Golick had told me, but it’s usually to show off their dominance, strength, and bring fear to those who oppose them.
One day, I had asked why they seem so obsessed with power, and he mentioned that though they may be able to control their greed for objects at a certain age, most would end up desiring something more subjective as time goes on. It would get confusing for me to understand after that, but it sounds like some cases would get so bad, they’d literally fight each other, and even smaller, weaker beings in order to show how superior they are, including the rest of their own species. Not only that, but they’d also fight to gain territory, gems, treasures, and mates (I had no idea what the last one was, and when I asked, he said I shouldn’t really worry about it at that time).
“Gee, I guess I can see why ponies would fear dragons like you mentioned since we first met,” I replied after Uncle Golick finished his explanation.
“I’ve lived many years, and during that time, I have witnessed tragedy and cruelty dragons would bring to some ponies’ villages,” he commented melancholically. “Though it may not give my kin a better name, I had stopped their destructive behavior when I come across them in order to not bring any more bloodshed.”
“That sounds really awesome, but why would you fight off dragons to save ponies?” I asked with a raised eyebrow. “I think I can see why you haven’t made much dragon friends like you mentioned, but if you knew your kind wouldn’t be shed in a better light, what made you risk your life to help them in the first place?”
“Do you remember when I told you I had no parents of my kind?” He asked, and I nodded in response. “Well from the day I was hatched, I was raised by a wise, knowledgeable, and kind unicorn stallion,” my eyes raised in surprise at that statement before he continued. “He was a well-known pony, one who thirsted and sought for knowledge. He would try to experiment many ways to cast magic and spells before he records his findings. He found me when I was still in an egg, vulnerable to whatever nature would throw at me before he brought me back to his home for research.
“From what I’ve been told, he had a frustrating time figuring me out until he tried using his strong magic on my egg form before I hatched. At that point, he gave me the name Golick, and raised me like a son. Despite the rough time of finding out my diet and getting me to behave, he taught me everything he learned about the world until I was old enough to help him in his life-long research, and became an assistant. Granted, when I tried doing chores for him outside of his home, ponies at that time would fear and run away from my presence for me to not acquire food or materials needed before I gave up and went back.”
“Guess us ponies aren’t as better in handling other beings like dragons do. No offense,” I commented.
“None taken Blaze,” he replied with a wave of his claw before he continued. “My caretaker grew concern for me as he noticed how other ponies would behave around me, and though he assured that I would always have his support, he knew he wouldn’t keep me around for very long. So in the next Dragon Migration, the two of us would follow it until we got to their next resting point where I might be able to make acquaintances of my kind while he watched out of sight. That was when I realized how different dragons behaved compared to the ponies I’ve observed.
“I was a young teenager at that time, probably around the same age as you are right now. When I got there, I didn’t exactly receive a warm welcome. We played ‘games’ to show who the toughest of the group was, and I was ridiculed by my out of place behavior and losses. Overnight, I would see some who snuck out of the resting spot, and when I followed them one time to see what they were doing, I was horrified at what I was witnessing. They would destroy homes of small creatures, crush eggs that birds would take care of, and burn the nests that they sat while they laughed in joy of it. Everything my caretaker taught me that was beautiful, peaceful, and alive, was being crushed right in front of me. I couldn’t take it anymore as I ran back to my caretaker, and we went back to his home.”
I sat there with ears folded at how horrible that experience sounded. After a brief pause, Uncle Golick continued his tale. “At that point, I was at a standstill. Ponies would fear me in my presence, and I was afraid of seeing the faces of those dragons again. I realized then that I would need to leave, and find my own place where ponies would accept me while I expand my growing knowledge of the world by my own means. My caretaker understood, and after I had packed my belongings, and we had our heartbreaking good-byes, I left my home, and the town that feared me. I traveled from village to village to find my place while I learned more about my surroundings, and helped small creatures I came across who needed it. It was during one of those instances in a forest that I was found out by the first pony who not only accepted me since my caretaker, but my very first love.”
“You mean like how my mom and pops did?” I asked with a smile as I found the sliver of hope in his story.
“Like many others, yes,” Uncle Golick responded with a smile. “She was the most beautiful pegasus I’ve ever come across, and the most kind as she offered me to stay with her after hearing my experiences in my travels. Though she was older than me at the time, she still looked young enough to be living with her family, and I was worried they might not be as welcoming and accepting as she was. I didn’t accept her offer because of that concern I had, but it turned out her parents died in an accident from what she had told me, and she lived in a secluded home not too far from the nearest village where she was an assisstant teacher in a school. I had gained a lot of respect for her after hearing that. So I accepted her offer to stay, but only if I helped with the housework while she was gone during the day. I could definitely tell she needed it, because when I got there, her house was worse than my caretaker’s ‘organized mess’ so to speak.
“From that point, I’d take care of the house while she went to the school to help teach, and we’d play, spend time together, and talk once she returned. Over time, we’ve gotten to be good friends, and then later on we got closer until we’ve come to where she was my special somepony, and me being her special somedragon. When I came to the age where my greed would get the better of me and I grew to a ferocious form, she was the one who helped me come to my senses for who I was before I reverted back to my two legged form.”
“Very cool,” I praised. “So she and your caretaker were the reasons why you protect ponies from other dragons?”
“Indeed they were,” Uncle Golick responded. “Especially one day when such a dragon came to my love’s village, and decided to ransack the town. I had a grown to be a taller, stronger dragon at the time, and my love got promoted to a full-time teacher for her school. Houses were set ablaze, screams of panic and agonizing pain filled the smoky air, and massacre was acted upon the innocent. The fear I had from before came back to me after witnessing the chaos in the town, but that soon turned into anger when I saw the sadness my love displayed from watching everything she held dear being destroyed right in front of her. From there, I had grew to my ferocious form once more to stop the dragon from destroying the village. I seemed to have been blinded by my fury as all I wanted to do was kill the one who was bringing great pain and sadness to my love… When I came back to my senses, I saw the lifeless form of the dragon I fought lying before me, with its disembodied head in my claws. Everything in my head was going in circles when I realized what I had just done, and how I became someone I had feared and despised the most. I couldn’t look at my love anymore after that, and I flew away in shame and regret with the dragon’s head still in my claws, never seeing my special somepony ever again…” A moment of dead silence filled the cave before sniffles started echoing inside. I was sitting on the ground with my eyes watering at the end of the story, trying my best to not cry despite the pain it brought to me while holding it in. Uncle Golick noticed the condition I was in before he crouched down and carefully wiped the tears flowing down my face with his talon. “I apologize for bringing such pain into your heart Blaze,” he said. “I guess I got carried away from my tales.”
“N-no, it’s fine,” I replied as I tried to wipe the rest of the tears out of my face. “So did you end up staying in that form after that, like the way you are right now?”
“Indeed. I had feared someone of my own kind in my love’s home would only bring tragedy upon her. So to not risk causing anyone anymore despair, I stayed in this form as I travelled once more for many years. I studied and observed the changes the world has gone through while I fought and scared off dragons that would threaten to destroy other villages,” he explained. “Ponies would still scour in panic when they see me soaring in the skies, but I was used to the treatment up to that point. You are probably the first one since my special somepony who hasn’t feared me as a monster, and accepted me not just as a friend, but as a member of your family no less.”
“That’s sounds… So lonely,” I said with my ears folded. “Even after hearing what you’ve done though, I don’t regret ever meeting you Uncle Golick. You’re an awesome dragon, and I think protecting other ponies shows greater superiority and strength than just beating others up,” I finished with a small smile.
“Thank you Blaze. It warms my heart to hear that from you,” he replied.
“Can I ask you something though?” I asked.
“Of course young one.”
“Back when you first met the dragons during that migration, have you met or seen some who were as good as you are?” I asked.
“I can’t say for certain,” he admitted. “But I have seen weaker dragons getting physically hurt from those who would prove their superiority in the group, and they lied there in blood and tears from the pain and shame of defeat. There were even female dragons who would only follow the superior males out of fear instead of love like me and my special somepony. Everything in my kin was about survival of the fittest, and only the strongest would thrive, even if they had to take down other towns to show for it.”
“THAT DOES IT THEN!” I exclaimed angrily which surprised Uncle Golick as I stood up. “Those so-called ‘superior dragons’ are making everyone around them miserable, and I’m NOT gonna stand by and let it all happen! Someone needs to bring peace between the dragons and the ponies, and goddamit if no one else is not gonna do it, then I’M gonna get stronger and do it myself!” I stomp my hoof to the cavern ground in frustration as I gritted my teeth. “If ANY of those bad dragons even DARE to bring harm on others, they’ll have to come take ME on first before they do whatever the hell they please! I’ll BUST those dragons for disrupting the peace in Equestria, beat them in their own game, and show how strong ponies like me can be!”
Uncle Golick sat there with the same surprised expression like before after hearing my declaration. “That is certainly a tall order to fulfill,” he said. “Are you sure that is what you want to spend the rest of your life doing?”
“You’re damn right it is!” I replied loudly. “Unlike those dragons, I actually LIKE everything around me as it is, and I want to KEEP it that way! I’m sure there many others who feel the same way, and want to live happily with what they have as much as I do! I will NOT let those evil dragons take away the world I want to live in! I’ll become the strongest pony I can be, and risk my life to maintain the peace in Equestria so that EVERYONE, ponies, creatures, and the good-natured dragons like you alike, to continue living happily! I’ll become the protector that keeps balance between ponies and dragons! I’ll be Equestria’s first Dragon Buster who ever lived, and make my name known to the country so those dragons would think TWICE before they mess with me or anyone else! That is my promise to this land, and to you Uncle Golick, so you won’t have to fear those dragons bringing harm to anyone anymore!” I declared which echoed throughout the cave while acting as a megaphone to the world outside of it.
My uncle drank everything in with both shock and amazement before he crouched his head down to my level where our eyes met. “Then can you promise me a few things Blaze?” He asked.
“Anything Uncle Golick,” I replied with a stern expression.
“One, don’t ever lose that burning passion to protect others inside of you,” he said first. “No matter how much you’re backed up to a corner, no matter how small your flame may be, make it shine bright even in the darkest of places, and show how strong you can be until the very end,” I nodded at the first request in understanding before he continued. “Two, I want you to keep that big smile you had the first time you met me, even in the darkest of times once you finish crying from such instances. Show how strong you can be with that smile of yours, and you will brighten the hope and courage to those around you like the fire in your soul. Can you do that for me young one?”
“I’ll do better than that!” I exclaimed with his requested smile and determination. “I’ll laugh at the face of danger with that smile on my face, and I’ll NEVER stop smiling until my very last breath!”
Uncle Golick smiled before he pointed one of his talons to my chest. “I can see the fire in your heart burning strongly already,” he said. “Remember the feeling you’re having right now, grow stronger whenever you can, and I’m sure you’ll become a great Dragon Buster one day.”
“Thanks Uncle Golick,” I replied with the same smile. “Hey, before I go back home, there’s something on my mind I’ve been curious about that’s completely unrelated.”
“And what is that?” He asked.
“Dragons eat gems right? Sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and such?” He nodded in response to confirm. “What do they taste like?”
He reached behind him and grab a gem he had kept in his hoard to examine it while he thought of the right words to describe it. “Hmm… Depending on the type of gem, and how long it has been aged, each has a different flavor and sweetness that we dragons come to like,” he explained to the best of his ability. “I can eat other things besides gems like fruits and vegetables based on how I was raised, but gems is my preferred diet out of all else.”
“Can I see that gem?” I asked before Uncle Golick handed it to me. I examined the gem like he did a moment ago, drinking in the amazing luster the object was shining under the light before I placed the gem between my teeth.
“Uh Blaze, I don’t think you should,” he said before he was interrupted by a loud, crunching sound that echoed the cave.
I chewed the chunk of the gem slowly as I tried to get the taste my uncle was describing before my eyes widened in surprise, and swallowed what was in my mouth. “WOW! You were right! These DO have a certain flavor!” I exclaimed happily. “I don’t see why ponies wouldn’t want to eat this stuff. This tastes GREAT!”
Uncle Golick sat there in surprise for a moment before he gave a hearty laughter that echoed in the cave. “Yes, they do taste pretty good,” he replied after he calmed down. “How about I pack you some gems to take with you, and you can tell me which one you liked the best next time you come back?”
“For reals?!” I asked excitedly. “That’d be great! Thanks Uncle Golick!”
He took a small pouch that he had kept on the side, placed a few gems of different kinds in it before he tied it closed, and handed it to me. “Remember to keep eating what you usually consume while having these. I’m not sure how well gems are to a pony, but it’s important to eat healthily in order to grow strong like you want to.”
“Oh yeah! Definitely!” I exclaimed as I took the pouch and placed it in my pocket before I tried to hug around one of my uncle’s hind legs. “Thank you Uncle Golick, and I promise to help make Equestria a happier place for you to live in.”
“I’m happy enough having a pony like you as my nephew,” he replied as he gently rubbed my back with his claw. “Now run along now. You don’t want your parents to worry would you?”
“Oh yeah!” I exclaimed before I pulled back from the hug. “I’ll let you know which gem I like the best tomorrow. See ya Uncle Golick!” I bid as I ran out of the cave.
“Good-bye Blaze,” he replied while it echoed throughout the cave.
I ran back to my house after I left the gorge, excited to see what these other gems taste like after I had dinner with Mom and Pops, and tell Uncle Golick which I liked best the next day. What I didn’t know however, was the next time I saw him and my family would be my last.
Bonus Chapter 3: The Legend of Blaze the Dragon Buster; Part 3
Bonus Chapter 3: The Legend of Blaze the Dragon Buster; Part 3
I treated myself to the gems Uncle Golick had gave me as dessert once I finished dinner and got to my room. It was incredible how different each of those gems tasted, but in the end, I found that I liked emeralds the best. With that in mind, I slept until the following morning where my family and I were working on the garden as usual. What happened afterwards was different than what I had anticipated, but I realized I forgot Pops had a day off from coaching that day. Same goes for Mom giving me a day off from homeschooling.
“So what are you two going to do for your day off?” I asked while the three of us were having breakfast.
“Well sweetie, your father and I realized we haven’t spent very much time with you lately,” Mom responded. “So the two of us decided to spend the day doing whatever you want the three of us to do.”
“Whoa for reals?!” I asked with excitement.
“It’s the truth champ,” Pops replied while rubbing my mane. “Your mother and I love you very much Blaze, and I’m sorry I haven’t spent more time with you as a father than I should have. I may be training ponies to be great racers, but no one will ever replace my number one son. I know I haven’t said it very much, but it’s the truth.”
“Aww, thanks Pops,” I responded with a grin and a chuckle. “So we’re gonna do whatever I want to do today?” I asked for clarification.
“That’s right Blaze,” Mom answered.
I looked up and hummed in thought while I try to come up with ideas to spend the day. “Anything good going on in town?” I asked.
“I hear there’s a bit of a festival going on in town today,” Pops answered. “There will be a lot of gem and rock related items and events going on as it’s the theme for the occasion. I think there’s even a bit of a tournament going on with a really nice gem as the prize as well.”
Whoa! That’s a lot of gems! Hey! Maybe I can get something for Uncle Golick while I’m there! Plus I could watch some sweet fighting moves to help me get started training to be a Dragon Buster!
“Can we go to the fair then? Can we? Pleeeeeease?” I pleaded.
“Sounds good to me. What about you Pepper?” Pops asked Mom.
“I’ll be happy to come along,” she replied.
“YES!” I exclaimed while pumping my fist in the air. “Well let’s finish breakfast and get going then! I don’t want to miss the tournament especially!” I declared before I quickly scarfed down the rest of my breakfast.
“Alright alright, take it easy champ,” Pops said. “The festival won’t be going anywhere for a while today. We also have plenty of time before the tournament starts.”
“Try not to choke on your food as well okay sweetie?” Mom asked, to which I nodded and finished what I had left with a big gulp.
“I’m gonna brush my teeth and get ready to go,” I said before I excused myself from the table and went to the bathroom.
After a couple minutes of cleaning myself up, I changed into my open black vest and beige shorts, and latched the empty pouch my uncle gave me before I went back to the kitchen, and helped clean the dishes so we could get to the festival faster. The next couple of minutes were agonizing as I waited for my parents to get ready for our day before we finally left the house.
“So what have you been doing while I’m in the city Blaze? Have you made any new friends?” Pops asked as we walked.
“Besides the one I made years ago? Nah,” I responded.
“You seem to talk a lot about him over dinner from time to time,” Mom pointed out. “Will we be able to see him?”
“I don’t know…” I replied. “He has a bad streak of running into rude ponies during his time, and besides me who came up on accident, he’s hesitant to see other ponies to hang out with. I’d like to introduce you guys to him, but I don’t think he’s ready yet.”
Mom nodded in response before she answered. “Well he sounds to be a nice pony from the sounds of it, and as long as you aren’t getting yourself into too much trouble because of him, he’s okay in my book. I’d love to meet him sometime when he’s ready.”
“I was actually thinking of getting something for him while I’m at the festival today,” I added. “He’s really into gems, but too shy to go out into public. I thought it would be nice to bring back some kind of souvenir for him to have.”
“How nice. Then I guess we’ll have to get something good to give him that’s from all of us,” Mom said. “It’s the least we could do to give thanks for giving you company.”
“Thanks Mom,” I replied with a big smile.
We got to town a couple minutes later before we went to the main road that was lined up with stands. On each side of the street, they had food, and many gem and rock-themed products like jewelry, art pieces, silverware, clothes, and others. Of course, there were some stands that even just sold gems by themselves. My mouth was watering a little just imagining how some of these gems I haven’t tried yet tasted. We decided to buy a gem for Uncle Golick as the last thing before we left, so we took the opportunity to enjoy what the festival had to offer. Awesome music was playing, there was a contest for who had the best gem-themed art piece in the fair, got some great tasting food for lunch before we went to town square where the tournament was taken place. I had to try and not to get too excited from how awesome some of the fights were to take great focus. I wanted to take mental notes on how the winning ponies fought so I could learn how to do them myself, and train to be a Dragon Buster.
After the tournament ended and had dinner, we took a look around the stands to find a great souvenir for Uncle Golick to have. “You look like you were really into those fights back there champ,” Pops said as we walked. “Have you thought about taking it up as a sport?”
“Something like that, yeah,” I responded as I browsed what the shopkeepers had on display. I couldn’t tell them that I wanted to train to be a Dragon Buster, at least not yet at the time. I thought they might get worried that I want to do something so risky, if them knowing I have a dragon as my best friend/uncle wasn’t enough.
“Well there are some classes to teach you how to fight in town,” Pops continued. “Would you want to take part in it?”
“Would I?!” I asked while I turned around and smiled with glimmer in my eyes. “I’d love to take that up! Can I do it? Can I?!”
“What do you think honey?” Pops asked as he turned to Mom.
“I’m a little uncertain about this,” Mom admitted. “He’s grown pretty strong while working in the fields, sure, and taking something like that could be an opportunity to make some new friends… Oh why not? If Blaze is willing to move forward with it, then I don’t mind.”
“We’ll have to come back tomorrow and see if we can get you enrolled then,” Pops said as he turned back to me. “That okay with you champ?”
“That would be AWESOME! Thanks guys!” I exclaimed while I hugged them both. “Okay, let’s get that gift and head home. Could I stop by my friend’s place to give it to him before I settle in?”
“Sure thing sweetie,” Mom replied before we got back to browsing around the stands.
We ended up getting a yellow sapphire that was the size of my fist a couple minutes later. I put it in the pouch Uncle Golick gave me for safe keeping before we were on our way back home after a great day at the festival. As we left the city boundaries, my smile of anticipation from giving the gem to Uncle Golick faded away as I saw black smoke rising from the direction where our house was. “W-what?” I asked as I was confused on what was going on over in the distance.
“Oh no…” Mom said before the three of us began to sprint to the direction of the fire. As we ran, I heard roars that gave me more concern as I might have an idea on what may have caused the fire. When we got close enough, we saw that the house we once lived in was ablaze while off to the side, two large creatures were in a fight. One of those creatures’ silhouette was familiar, and the thought made my whole body tremble.
“UNCLE GOLICK!” I screamed before I sprinted to the scene of the fight.
“BLAZE! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!” Pops yelled before he and Mom followed.
When I got to the scene, I was horrified for probably the first time in my life, if not, for Celestia knows how long since the last. Uncle Golick’s scaled body was covered in scorch marks, and fresh gash wounds while blood was still oozing from the openings. The jade colored dragon with red horns, wings, and spines he was fighting also had the same damages on his scales, but not as much as my uncle’s. The two of them were locked in each other’s arms, trying to overpower each other with strength before Uncle Golick glanced over and saw me and my family that were watching from a distance. “BLAZE! You have to get out of here while you still can!” He roared. The moment of distraction was enough for the jade dragon to pierce its sharp talons deep into Uncle Golick’s underbelly before he roared in agonizing pain, which left me stood stiff frozen in fear. The jade dragon then picked him up, and tossed him to the forest where he crashed into some trees that were already torn due to the destruction of their struggle.
“You have grown weak Golick!” The jade dragon exclaimed as he slowly walked over to my friend that was lying down. “I expected more out of you, but I guess even you can’t escape from old age.”
“Blaze, we gotta get out of here!” Mom said while gripping my shoulders. Her voice was enough for me to snap out of it before I shook off of her grip and turned to my parents.
“NO! I have to help my friend somehow!” I replied.
“THAT’S the friend you were talking about?!” Pops yelled.
“YES!” I answered. “And I don’t care what you say about him! Uncle Golick has been the best friend I’ve ever had, and I’m not gonna leave him like this!” I ran over to my friend who was lying on the torn down trees. I picked up some large rocks along the way before I stood before the jade dragon and started chucking them to his face and wounds. “HEY! Stop hurting my friend you bastard!”
“What’s this?” He asked before he turned and looked down to me. “And who are you puny pony?”
“I’m the Dragon Buster, Blaze Fullthruster!” I replied loudly. “And if you don’t stop hurting Uncle Golick, then I’m gonna make you sorry that you did!”
The bastard dragon gave a haughty laughter before he responded. “You pathetic pony dare challenge a dragon such as myself? You must have some death wish if you’re this foolish enough to approach me. And to think your kind is something so pathetic for Golick to protect!”
“Don’t you DARE spit in Uncle Golick’s name!” I exclaimed angrily. “He’s the best friend I’ve ever had, and he’s a far greater dragon than you’ll EVER be!”
“B-Blaze… Run… Please,” Uncle Golick said painfully.
“You are foolish to think Golick is a superior dragon,” he sneered. “He’s a disgrace of our kin, and should be removed for bringing ideas to cooperate and make peace with your pathetic kind. It’s that foolish thinking that has made him so weak to begin with,” he then kicked and dug the talons on his feet into Uncle Golick’s stomach, which made him cry in pain once more before the attacker repeated.
My nose flared and my teeth gritted as I tensed up in anger from watching the bastard hurting my friend. I rushed in without thinking before I got to the end of the attacker’s tail, and bit it down as hard as I could, which got him to stop and scream in pain.
“Why you puny little brat!” The dragon exclaimed in anger before he turned, crouched down, and was about to grab me until…
“KEEP YOUR FILTHY CLAWS AWAY FROM MY SON YOU BRUTE!” A voice yelled which stopped the dragon mid-way, and turned his gaze to the source. It was Mom standing from a distance with a slingshot and a small pouch that was pulled back by the rubber. “Have a taste of my chili pepper powder!” She exclaimed before she shot two pouches, and they exploded in a red dust in front of the dragon’s exposed eyes before he screamed in pain.
“My eyes! My eyes! They burn!” He cried while rubbing his eyes.
“There’s more where that came from!” Another voice yelled, which was Pops that flew fast over me with a javelin in hand. “TAKE THIS!” He roared before he went and pierced one of his exposed eyes. The dragon’s eye spurted blood before he cried from a more painful experience from before.
“Mom! Pops!” I exclaimed happily as they came in and gave me a tight hug. “But why are you doing this?”
“You think we’re just gonna stand by and let our son do all the fighting?” Pops asked with a smile as he ruffled my mane.
“We just need to help the yellow one right?” Mom asked. “If he’s your friend, and apparently your uncle, then he’s welcome to be a part of our family. I think just him telling you to get away earlier was enough for me to know how much he cares for you.”
“Now how about we show that bastard what happens when he messes with the Fullthrusters huh?” Pops asked as he took out a few more javelins from a quiver he was carrying on his back and handed them to me.
“YEAH!” I exclaimed with determination and confidence. The three of us then got to work in trying to subdue the jade dragon. He pulled out the javelin that was in his eye, with blood still leaking out of his closed eyelid before he roared in anger. I chucked the javelins I had to his underbelly, while Mom shot more chili pepper powder shots on his open wounds to give him a burning, irritating itch. Pops was flying around the beast while piercing more javelins in his wings. They looked to be the most sensitive considering how the beast roared in pain while he tried to smack my pops in the air with frustration.
“ENOUGH!” The dragon yelled in anger before he reached down, and grabbed Mom. She screamed as she was lifted from the ground, now inside the dragon’s grip.
“MOM!” I exclaimed.
“LET GO OF MY WIFE YOU BASTARD!” Pops yelled angrily before he zipped down towards the dragon, which looked like it was something he had planned as he held up his other claw, and closed it into a fist once he caught him.
“You puny ponies are becoming a real nuisance,” the dragon sneered as he brought my parents up to his eye level. “I’m going to crush you until I squeezed every ounce of life out of your pathetic bodies,” he then did as he said by tightening his grip, which got my parents screaming from the bone crushing pain that I could hear from below them.
“MOM! POPS!” I screamed.
“B-Blaze… Run,” Pops said in pain. “D-Don’t worry about us… Get out of here, now…”
“No matter what happens to us,” Mom added in with the same, pain taking tone. “Live…”
“HOLD ON! I’LL GET YOU DOWN! I’M NOT GOING ANYWHERE WITHOUT YOU GUYS! UNCLE GOLICK TOO!” I protested with tears welling up in my eyes as I took one of the javelins, and tried to jab the dragon’s tough skinned hind legs.
“Blaze… Always remember this,” Mom said, barely holding onto what breath she had left. “No matter what you decide to do, your pops and I… Will always be proud of you… We’ll always love you too…”
“Blaze… Show the world… How strong you can be,” Pops added in. “You’ve got… The blood of incredible ponies in our family… Show the world… How incredible you can… Be…” Pops finished before he and Mom’s body fell limp, with no more signs of struggle shown.
“MOM! POPS!” I screamed with tears streaming out of my eyes while the dragon laughed haughtily.
“Don’t worry brat! You’ll be joining your parents, as well as that pathetic dragon soon!” The bastard exclaimed with sadistic glee before he took my parents bodies in one hand, and tossed them to the side like trash.
I stood there shaking greatly with a mixture of great sadness, fear, and anger for what was happening right in front of me. My parents were killed, Uncle Golick was gravely wounded, and couldn’t get up. My hooves instinctively ran to my uncle’s body, turned back to the enemy dragon that was coming toward us, and I stood in a defensive position with my teeth gritted. “Blaze… Don’t worry about me… You must go…” Uncle Golick groaned in pain.
“NO! I promised I would fight until my last breath, and I’m not gonna pull that back!” I exclaimed as I glanced back at him before I turned my attention to the dragon before me. “Why must you be like this?! Uncle Golick never did anything wrong to you, nor did my family before you burned our home down! Why can’t you leave us in peace?!” I asked in anger.
“The weak do not deserve to live puny pony,” he stated. “The way they want to live in peace like that failure of a dragon behind you, as if they can’t hold themselves up, and rely on others just shows how pathetic they really are.”
“YOU’RE WRONG!” I exclaimed in protest. “Fighting to bring peace and protecting others should make you stronger! It’s something actually worth fighting for than your damn superiority! And Uncle Golick is NOT weak for sharing the same goal as me! His wish for a beautiful world makes the flame inside of me burn bright. As long as that hope still exists, these flames will NEVER die, and the light will show the way to a brighter future!”
“Bah! Such big words for a small brat,” the dragon scoffed. “Enough talk! Burn within my own flames, and share the same fate as your family!” He exclaimed before he sucked in air greatly, preparing for a fire breath.
I sucked in my own air, preparing to scream my protest at the top of my lungs; however, there was something burning inside of me that was unfamiliar. It was warm before the heat rose, and spread up to my throat. The dragon blew a ruby red flame at the same time I screamed, and that was when the unthinkable happened...
“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”
As I screamed, a large, red-orange flame burst from my mouth, and pushed against the dragon’s. I didn’t think what was going on, as all I wanted to do was scream loud and hard enough to at least scare him away. My flame spoke for me, as it pushed against the dragon’s, and overpowered it enough to engulf his head inside. The dragon roared in pain as I continued screaming every last bit of air out of my lungs while my flames continued to burn his head. He pulled back as my flames continued to burn and spread across is body before he lift himself up with his damaged wings, and flew away. He cried in pain some more as he retreated, my flames still making an effort to burn every last inch of his scales as the dragon’s roar slowly died down when he was far enough away.
My throat was getting strained as my scream died down, and my flame along with it before it disappeared. I fell to my knees as I breathed raggedly from exhaustion. “I… Can’t believe I… Did it,” I said with my voice cracked from my throat strained. Before I relaxed, I realized what was happening to Uncle Golick, and I quickly ran back to his head where it was lying on the ground. “Uncle Golick! You’re hurt! What do I do?! There aren’t any bandages around to stop the bleeding and!”
“Blaze,” he interrupted my panic attack before he continued. “It’s okay… My time in this world is nearly up, and I’m just glad that you’re alright. I’m sorry I couldn’t keep your parents safe though.”
“Don’t talk anymore!” I exclaimed with however much my throat could take. “There’s gotta be something I can do to get you to live longer! Umm... WAIT! I got food!” I quickly took my pouch, and pulled out the yellow sapphire we got from the festival. “Dragons need gems for nutrition right? My parents and I wanted to give this to you as a thanks for being my friend. Here, open your mouth and I’ll toss it in.”
Uncle Golick complied as he opened his maw enough for me to toss the gem inside, and he slowly chewed to savor the taste before he swallowed. “Thank you Blaze. It was really delicious.”
“It looked like it, especially since it was same color as your scale and flames,” I said before I chuckled while I wiped tears from my eyes. “By the way, out of the gems you gave me, I found emeralds to be my favorite in the end.”
“Ah yes, those are my favorite too,” he said. He coughed harshly after he made a few chuckles.
“Are you okay?” I asked with my ears folded.
“I’ll be fine soon Blaze,” he responded with a smile. “There’s something I want to give you as well. It was something I learned in my travels that I’m sure would help you become a great Dragon Buster like you want to be,” he then spoke something that seemed to be another language for a little bit before he sucked in some air, and gently blew his golden yellow flame at me.
I was shocked at first, but it didn’t burn like I thought it did. It was warm, almost comforting as the flame spiraled from my head to hooves around me while I floated in place. It stopped after a bit before it went straight into my mouth as I gasped in surprise. The warm feeling I felt earlier was getting inside me while I was experiencing this otherworldly moment. I felt my senses changing than what I thought was normal as my hearing, smell, taste, and sight was heightened. The strain on my throat was even feeling better before the last of Uncle Golick’s flames went inside me, and I gently floated down to the ground. I blinked, and checked my body’s functioning to see if they were still working properly as I adjusted to this new change inside of me. “U-Uncle Golick… What happened to me? I feel… Different,” I said with my voice now repaired.
“Remember how I mentioned dragons have a different type of magic compared to ponies?” He asked, and I nodded in response. “Basically, I used that to give what life I had left inside of me to you.”
“W-WHAT?!” I asked in a panic. “Why did you do that?! Now your time here will be shorter now, and I…” My eyes had shut tight, and started to well up in tears. “I don’t want to be alone…” I choked.
“Blaze, you will never be alone,” Uncle Golick argued before I opened my eyes in confusion. “A piece of me, my flames, is inside of you now, and it will always stay in there. No matter where you are, I will always be with you, and watch you grow into a strong Dragon Buster. Even if your flames start to dim, mine will help it glow brighter than it ever did before.”
“But what about seeing the world grow beautiful like you wanted?” I asked. “I promised that I would help build it into that world. I promised to protect good beings like you, Mom, and Pops, but I failed… I couldn’t save you, or my parents in the end. I’m not even sure if I can do it now if I can’t even do THAT right,” I looked to the side in shame with my teeth and fists gritted tight as I shook in anger and frustration with myself.
“Blaze… You did save me,” he interjected before I turned back to him in surprise. “From the day we first met, you’ve saved me from my hard time of loneliness. The smile you carried always brightened my day, and I can pass on with content after spending the last couple years of my life with a good friend and nephew. Thanks to you, the world I see now is beautiful once more, and I know you have what it takes to help maintain it.
“The loss of your parents is a great ordeal, and I apologize once more for not protecting them like I wanted to. Don’t carry the burden of their death though. From their last words I heard, I could tell they want you to live happily like you usually do, and they do not blame you for dying the way they did. I’m sure right now, they’re very proud of what you’ve just accomplished. They’ve always been proud of you. That, and their love will always stay true in the afterlife as they watch over you.”
At that moment, I couldn’t help but broke down crying as I hugged around Uncle Golick’s snout. “I love you Uncle Golick!” I chocked.
“I love you too Blaze,” he replied calmly with a smile. Soon after, strange light started to rise from his body as he seemed to slowly fade out. I gasped at the development, and my heart raced in a panic. “My time in this world is coming to a close,” he said with that same tone.
“N-no! You can’t leave now!” I protested while my tears still streamed down. “I need you! Where would I go?! How can I get through this alone without your guidance?!”
“I’m sure you’ll come across new friends who will help you find that direction,” he responded as more of the light rose from him, and he faded out more to where he was transparent, and I could barely see what was behind him. “Until then, like a dragon, follow where the first gust of wind directs you, and explore the towns and villages along the way until fate shows you your next direction. Take whatever you can carry from my cave, and use it wisely. Remember what I’ve told you up to now, and show the world how great a Dragon Buster you can truly be.”
“I-I will… I promise,” I said as I sniffled, and wiped off the tears with my arm. I tried to give Uncle Golick the biggest smile I could muster like how he always liked them with a few small chuckles.
“Now that’s the kind of smile that will brighten the world around you,” he said with a smile before even more light rose from him at a rapid pace, and his body faded out even more to where I could barely see him. “Ah… I can feel myself getting heavier and tired… It’s time for me to go… Thank you for making the last couple years of my life worth living.”
“A-anytime,” I cracked as tears welled up once more, but I tried to keep them down as much as I could. “G-good-bye… Uncle Golick…”
“Good-bye… Blaze Fullthruster…” He sighed before he closed his eyes, and his lips curled to a smile. Soon, he faded out completely, and I watched the last of his light rise to the sky, where I presumed heaven for dragons would be.
I fell to my knees on the grass as I kept staring up to the sky. Tears started to stream down once more as I clenched my eyes shut, and I roared to the heavens as loud as my repaired throat could let me like a dragon would, making my proclaim to the land as the first Dragon Buster in Equestria.
