Bonus Chapters: Stories of Cyan and Lumina's Friends

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.