Rising Hope 2: The Harmony Of Equestria.

Dragon Outlands, : Jamir's Pov:

Following the defeat of The Opposer and nearly losing myself to the madness of experimenting with my new form, I felt that due to all that happened, I could be somewhat at fault of how I behaved. But seeing as I did give the guys a week's notice, I have no time to be wasting.

Telling Radiance about what we really came here to do, and Immediately he narrowed his eyes and called us to a nearby tavern. Walking through, a bunch of prying eyes stared at us, a good portion looking at me In surprise and traces of fear. Picking a seat In the back, the hushed conversations and quick glances would have unnerved me, but that Is a small matter to me as I have no time for dealing with lies.

''Hey, Isn't that him?'' I heard one dragon whisper to another.

''Yea, The Opposer almost had him, but after that huge trick the human pulled, I'm thinking twice about talking to him.'' Another said.

''But...didn't the human spare his life?''

Now, that Is wrong: I did not spare him: his life ending Is of no Importance to me, so I pushed events forward quicker.

''Why...did you not end me?...'' The titan dragon huffed.

looking down to his lifeless face, one thing was already known we both understood: he's already dead.

''I do not kill all willy nilly for pleasure, be this any other time; that option would still be enforced. Your life Is not below mine nor above anyone else.''

''How did they hear about that already?'' I sat down, Twi and Aj sitting next to me as Spike, Kanaranx, Rainbow and Radiance sat opposite to us. Calling on the waitress to bring us something to eat, we all came together and spoke softly.

''Word gets around here pretty fast: but you should be wary If a few try and be dumb enough to challenge you.'' The guard replied. ''But back to our little 'conversation'? Are you certain about this?''

''Yes, we have a undeniable confession from warden Sergo admitting that Azure Light would be coming here to retrieve a package of sorts.'' Twilight stated matter of factly.

''Is that so-well It appears that-''Here you go, 7 peach juices and 4 hamburgers.'' The waitress brought our food. Setting the basket and mugs down, I marveled at how delicious the food looked. A cool cup of pale orange colored juice In a wooden mug called my name as I brought It to my lips and sipped the liquid, the feeling running down my throat and quenching my thirst from the long journey over here.

''So.'' The dragon tore Into his food. ''This Azure Individual sounds like the same pony Kan-Kan described to me some time ago and you mean to say she outwardly betrayed and almost killed you?'' He asked.

''Mmm-hmm.'' I mumbled before swallowing my juice. ''She must have plotted this from the first time she saw me and been studying my habits to see where I could slip up and she succeeded...almost.'' I groaned.

''What exactly  happened?'' Rainbow asked.

I guess I never did tell them what happened to us personally while In prison, but the things I saw when I was drugged was so real, I could swear that shark attack was so real. Thank God she did not find that out: If there's one thing that can make me turn tail and officially cower like a little girl, It would be sharks. Ever since I was a little kid, a few movies such as jaws and pretty much any movie with sharks has just given me this tingling feeling whenever I went swimming as a child. (which was not often)

11 years ago, Belle Isle, Detroit:

''Honey, don't go too far out!'' My mother warned me as we finally arrived at the beach. Bouncing up and down In my seat, my black swim trunks ached to touch and feel the depths of the water.

''I won't mommy: I just want to go and play with the fishes! Wonald says you can't because they aren't friendly!'' I pouted at my 9 year brother, Ronald though I had nicknamed him 'Wonald' since his name Is like the clown Ronald McDonald, this way anybody can tell the difference. Looking out the window of our old 2004 red mercury cougar, he sighed and repeated: ''You can't num-nuts! Fishes aren't friendly, especially sharks.'' He snickered and clutched his backpack.

''Why? You make them sound like their bad fishes! Wonald, I'll prove you wrong and hug a shark: just you wait!" I hopped out and ran to the water.

''Jamir, wait up!'' My mother called after me, holding her chest to catch her breath from chasing me pretty much from the car to the beach that was on the other side of the massive picnic gazebo that separated the parking lot from the wide open ocean.

Being 5 years old at the time, I had no Idea of what came next or If It was even real.

''Yay! here I come fishes!'' I hopped Into the deep ocean and swam around.

''Come on Wonald let's play!'' I was eager to splash water In his face for making fish seems like meanies!

''Huh? Where are you?'' I wondered. Then again nobody else was In the water, just me. Looked to my left. Nothing. To the right? Nothing.

''Oh well, I can befriend those fishies myself!'' I swam out In the current and looked for any friends to play with. A few minutes In, a shape began to rise out of the water. It was big and had a fin on It's head.

''Oh, fishie, fishie!''I swam over. Reaching my hand out to touch the fin, It suddenly leaped up and showed It's massive serrated teeth and ragged body casting a shadow that blotted out the sun as my eyes suddenly met darkness. Thrashing around, I couldn't see where I was going, the harsh water filling my lungs and threatening to drown my air supply out. I was down under for so long, my nose began to bleed, body Involuntarily  grasping for help to which none was found. Trying to get my bearings, my eyes opened enough to gaze at the approaching figure that swam at me with blinding speed.

''...Jamir! Jamir!'' A distant voice called.

Struggling to keep conscious, that proved to be very hard as my lungs felt bloated with water and my chest heavy as a rock. Feeling a quick thump, the violent sounds of water getting hurled back up left me feeling like a crusty sponge. In short, my brother pulled a prank on me with a type of rubber suit and almost made me drown to death. Good thing my mother came over and pulled me out In time, going right after my brother and his punishment the second I could safely breath again. The gist: me and water are not fond of each other. I'm barely able to step In without a chill running down my spine and paranoia  flooding my mind.

Everyone at the table looked shocked at what I told them, Twi laying a caring hoof on my leg.

''It's okay, everypony has fears but It's those fears that make us who we are.'' She nuzzled my chest.

''Yea, heck ever since the parasprite Incident, those little buggers kinda gives me the creeps.'' Rainbow chuckled.

''Same, 'ere, but ah often show mah fear on tha Inside.''

That made me feel a slight bit better at knowing even the girls have fears, but that's kinda a known within itself. But back to other matters.

''That's behind me now. But now that we're here do you have any idea where Azure might want to go when she gets here?'' I looked to Radiance.

''Let's see.'' He closed his eyes. ''A number of places comes to me: but seeing as she's the type who plays dirty then...the only place I can think of would have to be either the Library Of The 12 Scholars or the palace but the second she tries something the guards should take care of her, but I'll go check in at the palace to get a piece of mind.'' His face grew wary.

With those places in mind, a few more things had to be taken care of, two being equally as important.

''Which brings up another issue: Spike here is going through his cycle and we came here to get him a partner to curb his...urges. You know anywhere or any kid dragons we can find?'' Kanaranx asked. Hearing the question, he got a smile that looked as perverted as comforting.

''I know exactly the place: oh boy, your inexperience will kill you.'' He patted Spike on the back and got up.

''I'll take care of him, don't worry: do what you came here to do: me and Kana will make sure he gets 'taken care of.' Come on, this will be fun.'' Radiance walked the drake outside, but not before I flagged him down about the whole child issue.

''Meat? Head down to the business district and ask for one Mr. Trapjaw: the meat vendor and tell him I sent you and you'll be fine.'' He walked out with Spike and Kanaranx.

''So what do we do?'' Rainbow asked. Standing up, we went outside, avoiding the looks of some rather curious dragons. Stepping out in the hot, dry sun made me slightly cringe as I answered her.

''First thing we came here to take care of: head down to the business district and secure what we came here for, then we can head over to the palace to broker our official peace treaty with the lord and lady: then we can focus on finding that backstabber.'' My point emphasized by the sudden change of tone from the thought of her. Taking note of my discomfort, Rainbow tried to take my mind off it.

''Come on.'' She hovered beside me. ''We know how much you want to...

''Kill her?'' I helped her out.

''Yea. That. But, maybe you shouldn't let that get to you right away: we can take our time doing this.'' She chuckled.

''That's true, that slippery rattlesnake should be the least of ya worries. We came here to help out Twilight, not to get revenge on what Azure did.'' Aj stopped me with a hoof.

They seriously did not just suggest I should...let her run free? That can't be it, she needs to pay. Looking to my hands, I got a second to really think.

''Was what Azure did unforgivable? Yes. Should she pay for that that? Hell yes. But you can't-

''But nothing!'' Twilight shut me up. ''I don't know about you but I think that revenge is not the right path to undertake when it could littered with danger. The right thing to do would be to let the authorities take care of and her and they can handle her punishment from there. You always go head in without thinking and do you ''SNIFF!''  know what that has gotten you into? A month in ''SNIFF!' prison away from us.'' She paused. ''Even if they don't show it, the girls and myself have agreed that you should give up on going after her. She turned tail and ran away which tells me that she is a coward. All that matters is that you're here with us, so I'm asking you from the deepest part of my heart: will you please just give up on her and just stay with the ponies you love? We...''SNIFF!'' won't be able to handle losing you again. Please.'' She embraced me in a hug, Rainbow and Applejack following after.

Shit...they really don't want to go and do this, do they? While I can see their potential worry, I know that I can take on Azure with pretty much no complications, B-but w-what she did. How can anyone just plainly look that over like nothing? I sure can't. But maybe I am a fool: just trying to get time back that was lost and I'm just using Azure as a conduit to put the blame to somebody else. I escaped, made allies, got what I needed to get done accomplished, and came back home...that should be enough.

''You know what?'' I asked.

''...She's not worth me wasting my time, not when I have more Important responsibilities...like my child. I-no. It's a fact that you girls are right: I don't need to get revenge or anything like that, all I have or could ever need is with my heart.'' I brought them into a hug that a few bystanders looked at us strangely, but went on about their way. Walking down the slanted road, taverns, metal shops, a few inns and a few gathering spots passed by us as we ventured towards the massive circular wall that provided access to the secondary ring where the business district was leaving from the lower one. Walking up the set of stairs that seemed to go forever, I began to really focus on what we really came here to do so we can go home.