Afternoon With A Dragonby Artie SmartieChaptersCleaning Time With A QuestionMeeting With EmberSweets With A Dragon Duo (One-half cute, the other kinda, um, scary)Cleaning Time With A QuestionImmediately, Fluttershy stopped. And by that, she didn't just stop. She stopped cold. And not just with fear. With a shaking, shivering, gruesome fear that went down her spine and through her body like an unfeeling parasite, worming about, feasting on her courage, leaving her frozen. A fear that could only rise from long ago, in childhood. A fear that kept itself until now, and even still, as Spike asked that very question that brought these horrid images of Fluttershy's past back to mind. A fear that is known by different words by others, but to Fluttershy by one: Dragons. However, despite its constant influence, Fluttershy still listened with a smile, mere minutes ago, as Spike told his tale as he helped her tidy her house. "So we end up deep inside the cavern," he continues, dusting Fluttershy's shelves with gusto while doing so, "and there, stuck in a rock, was the Dragon Scepter." Fluttershy didn't have to turn around from her sweeping to see Spike's eyes dilate from awe. "But, of course, before I can grab it, that dragon Garble, from earlier, pushes me off the cliff!" "Oh, my!" Fluttershy responded, turning her head in worry. "What happened after that?" "Well, that's one of the best parts of this story!" Spike said with a smile. "Princess Ember, out of nowhere, flew in and saved me!" Fluttershy grinned. "Oh, you mean the one who abandoned you because apparently, 'dragons don't do friends?'" "That's the one! Turns out she had a change of heart, which i'm glad for. Like Twilight says, everyone needs a friend." Fluttershy then heard Spike speak, in a different, more regal tone: "'Even those with claws, firebreath, and of large enough size to crush you like a toothpick.'" Spike giggled. "Ha! Twilight's exact words. Not that they're wrong mind you." "Oh, indeed." Fluttershy said in an agreeable tone, still smiling. Though inside, she kinda wanted to cringe. Princess Ember did sound very nice, according to Spike's story, and Fluttershy was certainly appreciative of her rescuing her favorite dragon. However, she wouldn't want to meet her anytime soon. Sure, she tangled with a much bigger dragon, along with manticores, hydras, and small bugs that happened to eat anything in sight, before, but dragons still sent a shiver down her spine every time she even thought of them. "So, after Ember made Rumble decree he hug everyone he meets-ha-we went back to the dragonlands, and me, Twi and Rarity came back here." With that sentence, Spike finished his dusting with the final wave of the duster. "Ever since, me and Ember have sent each other scrolls to stay in contact." Fluttershy raised an eyebrow. "But she doesn't have your 'scroll-breath', does she? How exactly does she send scrolls to you?" "Uh, something i'm sure Twilight helped her with before we left, I don't quite know," Spike responded, shrugging his shoulders, "but that's not important at the moment!" He put down the duster, excitedly ran over to his bag, and took out a small scroll. "Just yesterday, I sent an invitation for her to come over here to Ponyville to hang out, maybe make some more pony friends! And guess what?" Fluttershy put her broom down for a moment, and turned back to Spike. From his big smile and jumpiness, she could already tell the best. She smiled, and pretended to think for a moment, humming. "I don't know, Spike. What?" "She accepted the invitation!" Like that, Spike jumped higher than a bouncing bunny. Fluttershy could practically feel his giddiness wallowing inside him, it was so strong. "Well, that's great, Spike! I'm so glad you've been able to make another friend outside of Ponyville." She turned back around, and picked up her broom, resuming her sweeping. "You should come back afterwards, and let me know how it went." "Uh, actually," Fluttershy heard, "about that, uh...." Fluttershy turned back around. "What is it, Spike?" "Uh, well...."Spike crossed his arms behind his back, and began to stare at his feet. "I don't know if I should ask you.." Fluttershy frowned and scrunched her eyebrows in worry. "Tell me, Spike. What is it? What do you want to ask me?" Spike looked back up. "Well, you heard me say that I wanted to help Ember make some friends, right?" "Yes." "Well........"Fluttershy could see Spike looking to his scroll, then back to her, his sensitive baby-dragon thinking gears running like mad in his head. "N-nevermind. I-it's not..Well, it is important, but uh..." "Spike, what is it?" Fluttershy retorted, her raised brow furrowing down to mild frustration along with her vocal tone. "N-nothing! I-I'll just ask someone else in town," Spike quickly retorted back, turning away from Fluttershy's tiny outburst. "Oh, come now, Spike!" Spike went back to staring at his feet, twiddling one on his toes. Fluttershy crossed her brows fully. She knew he had something to say, but he wasn't saying it. Yet, she thought of an idea, and began to smile. She squinted deviously at him. "Spike, am I gonna have to use the Stare on you?" Spike looked back up. Instantly, Fluttershy could see the fear growing in his eyes. Spike has never seen the Stare in full dragon person, but she's told him enough of her use of it for him to know it can be deadly. Even now, his whole body shuddered like the first time she retold her tale of the Cockatrice to him some time ago. His spike's stood on end like when she regaled of how her Stare helped silence a massive horde of fruit bats so that Applejack's crop could be saved. Then, a tear began to slither out of Spike's eye. Fluttershy's smile went away. Fluttershy walked up to Spike, turned him around, and brought a hoof to his chin. "Don't worry, Spike. I'm not going to use the Stare. I would never want to actually scare you, or put you in a situation like that." She then gave Spike a quick peck on the forehead. "I'm your friend." Spike stared only for a moment, as if pondering, then immediately looked away, bringing his attention back to his feet. Fluttershy felt a small tinge of disappointment in her stomach, but continued to show her smile as she began to walk back to her broom. "Alright then." She picked up and resumed her sweeping once more. "When you're ready to ask me, just say it, and i'll be here, listening." With that came silence. Fluttershy didn't turn back to check on Spike's reaction. She had done this several times with baby animals before, and it had worked almost everytime. Several moments passed. Then more. Fluttershy began to sweep the same areas before. Inside, she began to worry. Out of Spike's sight, she began to frown. I guess Spike's much more different than a baby bunny, or a squirrel. But then, she heard a groan from behind. She grinned in anticipation. Jackpot. Then, an inhale, as if ready to ask something. Fluttershy internally prepped herself. Her mind, body, and hooves and ears, ready to listen to her friend ask her a question. "Would you like to meet her?" Fluttershy felt a mild ecstasy. Yes!!! "There now," she said with a giggle, "was that so har-" With a sudden halt, like a train stopping at full speed, Fluttershy's mind went completely thoughtless, having just processed what she just heard. Her eyes also bulged, as if golfballs were shooting out of her eyeholes. "Wait, what?" "Do you want to meet her?" Spike repeated. "Princess Ember?" Immediately, Fluttershy stopped. And by that, she didn't just stop. She stopped dead in her tracks. And not just with fear. With a spine-chilling, heart-stopping ,carnivorous fear that gobbled her up whole like a giant, hungry beast. Immediately, the only thoughts that were in her mind that very second were thoughts from her life. Thoughts involving those scariest of creatures, with tremendous size and strength that could rival the great giants of Equestrian legend or the massive creatures of today. Teeth that could gnaw at her bones until they were nothing but sticks. Sharp claws that could grab her and rip her skin off faster than they could say, "pray to Celestia." Skin of scales tougher than the hide of a hydra and sharper than a nail! And the fire breath!!! "U-uh..umm...u-u-..uhhh..well, Spike..." The broom began to fall, but Spike caught it as he walked to her side, knowing he struck a frightened nerve. "Look, Fluttershy, I know you don't like dragons, other than me, but I think you'd really like her!" Spike said, as he put the broom horizontally on the floor. "She's helpful, like you. She's handled big animals, just like you. She.."-Spike paused for a moment, his eyes wandering to the ceiling- "flies just like you." "Well, yes, bu-" "And I bet, if you just met her, you'd like her quick as a snap!" Spike snapped his claws, as if to prove his point further. "Uh, maybe, yes, but, Spi-" "And I already asked Twilight, but she was too busy studying," Spike continued, as he began to pace across the room and back. "Rarity couldn't, cause she was working on a new fashion line for her store in Canterlot-" "Well-" "-Rainbow Dash is with her relatives in Cloudsdale-" "Spike, I-" "-Applejack says she can't, cause she's has work on the farm to do-" "I-I don't think-" "-And Pinkie Pie says she wants to spend the next few days making cakes and eating them just for fun!" "SPIKE!!!!!!" Spike jumped, his eyes wide with sudden fear. His mouth was shut tight as he turned around to Fluttershy, gasping for breath from her endeavor to actually shout that loud. Fluttershy took a deep breath, then sighed. "I know you mean well, Spike, but what if it doesn't work out? What if something bad happens?" Spike scoffed, and waved his hand at the notion. "Nah! Ember's sweeter than you think. She wouldn't hurt anyone or do anything wrong." "Well, um, she's a dragon, and she'll be in a town filled with ponies. You don't think she might feel weird?" "All the more reason for her to come-to meet some ponies and maybe become friends with them." Fluttershy began to sweat. "U-uh..what if ponies here are scared, o-or surprised she'll be here? They might not like a dragon suddenly visiting." "Ah, that's ridiculous, Shy! I told everyone in the town that she was visiting, and they all seemed a-ok with it!" "Uh, but..." "No buts about it, Fluttershy! Everything's going to go fine!" Spike stopped for a moment, putting a finger on his chin and looking up to the sky, frowning. "Hopefully." Spike then immediately brought himself to Fluttershy's hooves. "But please, Fluttershy? Ember needs to talk with some pony on her visit!" Fluttershy only stood there, sweating out the Rainbow Falls, while her legs shook like the ground during an active stampede. "U-uh.." "Please?" "W-w-well.." "Please?" "I, uh...." "PLEEEAAASE?!" "Look, Spike, I-" "Please, pleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease PLEEEEEAAAAAAA-" "SPIKE!" Spike once again went silent. Fluttershy, once more shaken up by her outburst, took another deep breath. "I don't think I can do it, Spike. I'm sorry." Spike only looked down, a sad look upon his face. Quickly, feelings of guilt began to creep into Fluttershy's mind. She shut her eyes tights and turned away from Spike's obvious disappointment. "That's ok, then." Fluttershy opened her eyes back up and turned back. "What?" "It's fine. I get it." Spike smiled back at her, getting back on his feet. "You have a thing about dragons that can't be handled right now. It's deep. I get it." Spike began walking to the door. "R-really?" "Yep," Spike replied, "You don't have to go if you don't want to. It'll be fine without somepony, like I said." Spike turned around to Fluttershy as he opened the door. "I'm your friend, as you are mine. I have to respect your problems, like a good friend does." With that, Spike started to close the door. "Wait!" Spike swiveled back to Fluttershy. She could see the hopeful excitement in his face. "You.. could..." Spike's eyes were wide with optimistic glee. Fluttershy mentally groaned. "You could.....still...tell me about it when you're done. I won't mind." An instant frown came onto Spike's face. Fluttershy felt her shame smack her in the face, bringing her the worst kind of pain. Spike then smiled, gave her a thumbs-up, and closed the door. Fluttershy could only stand in that very spot in which she brutally mangled Spike's hopes. Well, mangled was a little strong for it, but still. Fluttershy thought. But even so-was it so wrong? Fluttershy walked to her shelf. On it were several assortments of souvenirs from her life. On a particular shelf was her memoirs and pictures from when she visited the Breezies in migration. Included in it were several letters from Pinkie Pie, her most, well, enthusiastic pony pal. Fluttershy could always know when her letters got back to Pinkie, cause she could feel Pinkie's energy explode everytime she got them in the mail, even several miles away. On another shelf was a picture of her in a dazzling forest gown made for her by Rarity for the Grand Galloping Gala. Oh, my. Rarity sure went a lot to get that dress made-not to mention a while for me to realize that it was a perfect gift for me. Fluttershy giggled at herself, remembering the trouble she and the others had put on their fashionable friend after she so dearly did a huge thing for them, and how they almost ruined her, which, thankfully, they helped her to recover. On yet another shelf, there were several books from the personal library of her dear bookworm friend, Twilight Sparkle. The Little Bird that Could. The Wonders of the Worm. How the Squirrel Saved The Nuthoard. All books she borrowed from a good friend who was so kind as to let her borrow them. Sigh. Such great friends. Fluttershy smiled, but then looked to the floor. Unlike me. Her eyes then went to another part of the shelf. On it was a lone picture of a purple dragon, giving Fluttershy a great big thumbs up. A birthday present from Spike, with an ivory frame and jewels in the four corners. Engraved at the bottom, Fluttershy read: Happy birthday from your favorite dragon! Your friend, Spike Fluttershy shut her eyes for only a moment, then opened them back up, putting on a look of utter bravery and determination. Fluttershy quickly ran for the door, and opened it with a swish. "Spi-aaah!" There stood Spike, or rather now lay, as he was resting on the door when Fluttershy swung it open. Immediately, he stood back up, a goofy smile on his face. "What? Iwasn'tstandinghereforafewmoresecondshopingyouwouldchangeyourmind!" Fluttershy chose not to respond to that. Instead, she, with a gulp, let out a breath. "I'll go." Instantly, Fluttershy gasped as Spike jumped on her, hugging her with all his might. "Oh, thank you, Fluttershy! Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou! Trust me, you will not regret it!" With that, Spike, continued to hug her. Fluttershy could only hug him back, patting his back and smiling her own goofy smile. Internally, she gulped again. Oh, I hope so. Meeting With EmberYou are looking at a brave pony. You are looking at a brave pony. "You are looking at a brave pony." Fluttershy continued to repeat this to herself in the mirror. Through her old football helmet, she gave herself the biggest glare she could possibly make. Despite the pillow wrapped around her body and the old kneecaps strapped to her, she had the stance of a warrior. "Come on, Fluttershy." Fluttershy stared even closer to her reflection, her glare in full intimidation mode. "you think you can't handle a simple get-together?" Her reflection immediately lost her glare, and began to back away. "u-um, well, I, uh-" "Really?" the real Fluttershy retorted. "Do you really want to hurt your friend just cause of some silly fear?" Fluttershy then suddenly jumped forward, shocking her reflection to her knees. "Well, DO YOU?!" "I-I-I don't know!" Reflect-Fluttershy began to weep through her helmet. "I don't want to hurt Spike, but I also reallyreallyreally REALLY don't want to deal with a ferocious, fire-breathing dragon, either!" Getting back up, wiping the tears from her eyes, Fluttershy reflected on this statement, then began to back off of her mirrored copy. Her glare replace itself with a caring, yet concerned look. "I know, I know, me. It is scary. I am just as terrified as you." Fluttershy moved towards her reflection till she was only two inches from her mirrorized muzzle. "But guess what? Sometimes, that's what life is: facing your fears. Accepting the terrifying. Embracing the unknown!" She smiled. "Now then, are we ready?" Reflect-Fluttershy smiled back, and said, "Yes. I am." "I couldn't hear you!" Fluttershy jumped onto her mirror cabinet. "I said, are you ready?! YES I AM! ARE YOU READY?!? YES! I AM! ARE YOUUU READYYYYYYYYYYYY-" "Shy?" The jump both Reflect-Shy and the real Fluttershy both made a jump in the air at such a speed that it could (maybe) rival Fili-Second. She bonked her head on the floor, her helmet protecting her brain from any serious harm. Despite this, as she got up, she got quite the headache forming. Grabbing her head and cringing, Fluttershy then opened her eyes back up to see Spike in her entryway. To describe his face at that moment would be the same to describe a chipmunk after seeing a French Fry for the first time: weirded out and confused, but still intrigued. "Oh, Spike!" Fluttershy immediately got back on her feet, dusting herself off quick as a whip. "I-I-I uh didn't see you there!" "What...... are you doing?" Spike asked, his eyes still wide. "Uh, uh, umwell, I uh...um-"Fluttershy felt her panic mode begin to rise yet again. The sweat started to trail. Then her eyes diverted from Spike as one of her animal friends, the bear, trudge in. He obviously just woke up, as it was his enormous yawn that turned Fluttershy's head and eyes to him. He only saw her watching him, and weakly waved. This, in turn, set Fluttershy's gears a-turning. Swooshing over, Fluttershy grabbed her bear friend around the shoulder, making him twitch in surprise. "Weeee were just about to..play a game of hoofball before you came!" Spike raised his brow. "You..play hoofball?" Fluttershy's mind, though still sort of off guard, managed to come up with, ".....Yyyyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeeeeeess?" Her mind still processing, she continued. "I , uh, I like to get my mind and body pumped sometimes, uh, before I go out. Heh, you know, uh-" She quickly started tackling the bear. "YEAH! LET"S DO IT! YEAAAAAAAAH!!" Spike stared for a second, then crossed his arms. The look on his face turned to one of judgment. "Rrreally?" "....Uuuuuuumm.."Fluttershy only stared back, not showing her teeth. "Yyyyyyyyyyyyes." For a solid minute, it was only a battle of stares and looks. Spike squinted at Fluttershy, his eyes silently burning into her soul. Fluttershy could only stare back, not Stare-worthy, but enough to not wet herself in pure terror. The bear, meanwhile, could only stare into oblivion cross-eyed, feeling the usual feelings after being punched in the gut several times: confusion, rage, nausea, and the slight feeling that he just broke a rib. "OK!" Spike said with a clap of his hands and a smile. "Then, let's get going!" Fluttershy whewed quietly as Spike walked out. She turned around and mouthed Sorry to her bear friend as she walked out, with the bear only responding with a weak wave, then turning around and falling flat on his belly. Fluttershy was able to stream out the equivalent of Neighagara Falls in sweat by the time she and Spike had gotten to Sugarcube Corner. "She should be here any minute,"Spike said, an enthusiastic smile on his face. "Before I left this morning, she had sent me a scroll saying that she was on her way. Hopefully she didn't run into anything dangerous." Fluttershy felt ashamed for doing so, but crossed her back hooves that she did. She put on a smile. "I hope not, either." Fluttershy went back into her mind as she and Spike waited. You can do this, Fluttershy. I know you can! It'll be fine. She's nice, and friendly, and *not quite as scary as other dragons*, like Spike said. "Here she comes!" Spike shouted, pointing in the air. The bright light of the sun evaded Fluttershy's view for a mere millisecond as a shadow soared over her head. Her wings immediately folded into her body. BOOM! Fluttershy screamed, and ducked for cover, her hooves over her eyes. Her inner panic began to monologue. Changelings! HYDRA! Earthquake! GIANT WORMS!!!!! "Giant worms?" Fluttershy'stared mind stopped. It is a voice different from Spike's. Feminine. Older. Not like any she heard from anyone she knew in Ponyville. "It's okay, Fluttershy. It's just Ember!" Shy's inner monologue started up again, but only this time in the course of the second she took to uncover her eyes. Youcandothisyoucandothisyoucandothis! Youcandothisyoucandothisyoucandothis!!YOUCANDOTHISYOUCANDOTHISYOUCANDOTHIS!!!!! The dragon she saw was a nice, light blue. Scales ran all over the skin, like ants over an anthill. Her large, but thin, hind legs stood a foot apart. Fluttershy mentally gulped as she saw the large claws her feet presented as Ember stood there. She looked up, and saw her other claws, growing from her hands like Tirek's horns. In her face, Fluttershy stared into the reddest pair of eyes she had ever seen, like rubies of fire. Yet, she also saw, for lack of a better word, light. This may be surprising, but Fluttershy overall, was somewhat scared, yet at the time...calmed by what she saw. As if that light in Ember's inferno-like eyes somewhat quelled her crippling fear. "Well, Ember, I would like you to meet one of my friends, Fluttershy!" Ember raised her arm to Fluttershy. "Hi." "H-h-hello.." Fluttershy returned the dragonpaw with a hoof, shaking it delicately. "You will have to excuse her, Ember. She has a bit of a fear of-mmmh!" Spike tried to finish his sentence through Fluttershy's hoof, which surprisingly could move again. Fluttershy gave a big smile to Ember as she leaned over to Spike, whispering through her teeth, "Ixnay." Spike put her hoof down, and, giving her a passing confused glare, continued, "What I meant to say was, Ember, is that Fluttershy's really done many things with, well, a dragon before. Or anypony, for that matter. Cause, well, she's...shy! Hence her name, Fluttershy." "Oh. O..K?" Ember said, one of her thin black eyebrows raised. "Let's..go in, then?" With that, she continued to watch them questioningly as she stepped into the Corner. Spike grinned at her until she was out of sight, then turned to Fluttershy. "What was that about?" "Well, you can't just say to her I'm afraid of dragons! One, it's rude to say that to a dragon, at least I would think. Two, it might ruin this! If she knew about my fear, she would feel soo bad throughout the get-together, and she wouldn't have a good time!" Her eyes bulged. "I would already be a problem, what with not being able to speak to her!" "Oh, come on! You were like that with everypony here, and still are! They understand. Why couldn't she?" Fluttershy inhaled, then sighed. "My shyness is one thing, Spike." She lowered her head, her eyes watering. "This...problem, with dragons...is another thing, entirely." Spike only muttered, "Oh." He raised her face with a paw. "I understand, then." He sighed, as well. "If you want to go back home, that's fine, then. But thanks for trying." Fluttershy wiped her eyes. "No, no! It's ok. I'll still try and make friends with her! It'll just be.."She gulped big and loud- "hard." "Alright, then," Spike said, shrugging his shoulders. "Let's go in, then." They then walked in slowly, Fluttershy taking deep breaths as they did. But when they got in, their mouths dropped to a rather strange sight. Sweets With A Dragon Duo (One-half cute, the other kinda, um, scary)Spike's jaw reclined into a hearty smirk as he witnessed Ember being a jungle gym to the fillies currently dining at the Sugarcube Corner. He watched in humored pleasure as Ember stood, arms outward, still as a sleeping buffalo, as the little ponies climbed all around her body. Two of them, one green colt with blue hair and one orange one with oranger hair, were racing around and underneath her standing legs. She winced, yet cracked a polite smile as two other fillies, both mare twins with cerulean skin and brown hair, one braided and one not, were giggling aplenty as they rode up and down on her wings. Spike saw Ember wince a little bit more, then turn around to see a smaller baby filly, white with gray hair, gender currently unknown, gnawing on her tail as if it was a teething ring. "Childreeeeen!" Somepony said, a sweetened alarm to her tone definite. Immediately, all the fillies got off (or, at least, spit out her apparently gum-soothing back appendage) and went off to the source of the call, a yellow-skinned adult mare with curly dark-blonde hair, wearing a nice, bright blue necklace. "Oh, terribly sorry about that, um, miss......dragon," the mother said, in the sweetest tone she could muster, for meeting a dragon in the Sugarcube Corner for the first time(hey, can you blame her?), then quickly and quietly shuffled back to her corner of the sweet store. "Well, well, Ember! Looks like you already made some friends!" Spike said enthusiastically, trotting over to her. "Sure, I..guess?" Ember replied, rubbing drool off her tail. "But, I still don't know about making friends here." "Are you kidding?! Those kids loved you! You'll definitely be able to make friends here!, Right, Fluttershy?" Fluttershy was currently still mouth agape, eyes like bowling balls, at what she just witnessed, her mind a mixture of white noise and a series of OHMYCELESTIA!!!s. Hearing her name spoken, she managed to mutter," Um, yeah, yeah." "..weeell, then, let's..get a table, Ember." Spike put his hand on Ember's back, leading her to another corner of the Corner. Fluttershy, gaining full thought-process, facehoofed herself, realizing her reaction. Immediately, she dashed over, dragging a chair out for Ember. "Here you go," Fluttershy said, giving her dragon acquaintance the biggest smile she could make thus far. Ember only slightly grinned back, and took the seat. Fluttershy only took her own, partially relieved of guilt. The next few seconds, about thirty to be exact, were spent in complete silence. Fluttershy only stared at her hoofs, occasionally glancing at Ember, and swiftly going back down the moment Ember so much as turned a scale. Ember, tapping her claws on the table, only looked around at the décor of the Corner, with its bright colors and nice atmosphere, partially getting a whiff of its nice cupcake-topped-with-a-chocolate chip cookie smell. It made her feel calmed-and partially hungry. Spike, on the other hand, focused on glancing back and forth between his old pony friend, and his new dragon friend, his hope shining in his smile. However, given the sweat furrowing on his skin, he was either only trying to be hopeful, or he needed to pee. Either way, he looked uneasy. His mouth opened up a bit, as if to say something. "So-" "Hiddee-ho, everypony!" All turned to see a bouncing pink pony bound into the room with a gigantic smile on her face, as she hummed a little song. Her cotton-candy-like hair swirled around as she wove around like a hopping bunch of bubble gum. "Hey, Spike! Fluttershy! How are two of my bestesty best friends ever this avidly amazing afternoon?" Both were left unable to answer as Pinkie Pie continued. "Meivebeingdoingwellimanagedtomakesomecake, thenblowupsomeballoonsthenmakecakethenfixmypartycannonthenmakesomecupcakes, thensawadragon,thenmadeevenmore-" Pinkie, for once, stopped dead in her tracks. Her eyes dashed to Ember. "Gasp! DRAGON! RUN FOR YOUR LIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVES!" She could not get away, the hole she made in the floor from incessant leg use in one space too deep for her to get out. She continued screaming banter as the rest of the Corner looked at the spectacle. Fluttershy, in a flash, soared into the tunnel and grabbed Pinkie out of it. She tried to hold on to her, but Pinkie's speed and strength were as large as her love of parties. She gave a look to Spike. He noticed her bulging, panicked and tiring eyes, and knew he was needed. "Pinkie, it's ok! it's ok! Ember's not gonna hurt you!" "How do you know that, Spike?!" "Cause, um..well..she's..um...........different from other dragons?!" And just like that: "Oh. Ok!" Pinkie hopped right out of Fluttershy's arms, her back legs unwillingly kicking her square in the muzzle and sending her to the ground. "Wow! A real dragon, here in the Sugarcube Corner! Ah! This is definitely a selfie moment!" Pinkie pulled out a camera, from where nobody knew, grabbed Ember, and shoved both of them into the shutter. FLASH Everypony covered their eyes at the shock of the camera's light. Spike rubbed his eyes, and opened them to see Ember and Pinkie, dazed and rocking back and forth from the shock. He noticed their eyes were almost completely white, their pupils were so contracted. Pinkie giggled as she rocked side to side, still holding an aching Ember. "Got that flash from Canterlot, hee hee! The guy who sold the camera said, hah, "You'll never see greater pictures than this!" Ember held her head, barely soaking in Pinkie's words as a result of the instant headache. "Yeah...I can see why." "Ha! I know, right! Ha ha ha!" Pinkie raised the camera to her eyes. "Nother one?!" "NO!" Pinkie felt a pain to that very word as she felt claws push her back. She then saw Ember slowly get smaller through the viewhole of the camera as she sailed back. BAM! Into the wall she went. Pinkie could only collapse into quite-literal jelly onto the floor, her now-dough-like hands still holding the camera. Debris from the Pinkie-shaped hole fell on her head as she lay there, her eyes staring widely at Ember still. "Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry about that!" Ember retorted. "I'm...a bit..jumpy today." She flapped over to Pinkie, cringing at the damage. "Are you..ok?" Ember was only met with the picture as it printed out of the slot of the camera. Then, a moment later, one of Pinkie's gelatin hoofs rose up to her and slowly but surely formed a thumbs-up. Ember somberly walked back to her seat at the table and sat down, Spike doing the same. Ember sighed. "I'm really sorry 'bout that, Spike. I'm just not used to......attention like that." Spike nervously chuckled. "uh, no problem. Pinkie's been through worse things. Heh, right, Shy?" Fluttershy, having only been watching Ember the whole time through the ordeal, swiveled her head. "Huh?" Then, the question processed itself in her head. "Oh, oh yeah, right, Spike. It, uh, could've been worse." Her eyes glanced to Ember's tail, its spikes shining under the light of the sun shining through the windows. "Youuu-you could've....if you had the tail just right, heh, j-just chopped her in half! Ha!" Fluttershy didn't know it, but then, her mouth started going more. "Or-or you could've knocked her right out of the Corner entirely! Or you could've smashed all her bones! Or well, maybe, you could've hit with your..your sharp claws, or-or-or you knock her into other customers, hurting them too, you could've used your mouth, and eaten-" "Fluttershy!" Fluttershy blinked in surprise, shaking her head. She quickly passed her eye over Spike. The retort in his voice was evident, matching his clenched smile and sweating brow perfectly. She passed back to Ember. Her dilated pupils and shriveled, concerned brow said it all. "Uh......right........could've been worse." Spike quickly wiped his brow in approval as he turned to Ember. "I apologize on Fluttershy's behalf, Ember." He added with a nicely-disguised chuckle, "I -I think she might have played hoofball a bit too much this morning. Heh." Ember slowly nodded. "Okayyyyyyy." Her hands, then clenched to herself, settled to the table, gripping the edge. Again, the silence of discomfort stewed in the air. Ember stared at Fluttershy this time, her scales beginning to turn wet with sweat. Spike did the same as before, sweating and smiling, as if pretending nothing had happened, but to no avail. Fluttershy only went back to her hoofs, silently exhaling her inner frustration, clenching her eyes and hoping she could turn invisible at that very moment. Then, an odd question. "So.....what's hoofball?" Ember said, scooting to her fellow dragon. Spike turned to Fluttershy. "Uh.......care to explain?" Fluttershy turned her eyes from Ember to Spike, her inner alarm starting up. However, she only silently sighed again, only this time, she exhaled her immediate urge to forget her ideals and give Spike the Stare at that very moment. This is not going to be pleasant.
Cleaning Time With A QuestionImmediately, Fluttershy stopped. And by that, she didn't just stop. She stopped cold. And not just with fear. With a shaking, shivering, gruesome fear that went down her spine and through her body like an unfeeling parasite, worming about, feasting on her courage, leaving her frozen. A fear that could only rise from long ago, in childhood. A fear that kept itself until now, and even still, as Spike asked that very question that brought these horrid images of Fluttershy's past back to mind. A fear that is known by different words by others, but to Fluttershy by one: Dragons. However, despite its constant influence, Fluttershy still listened with a smile, mere minutes ago, as Spike told his tale as he helped her tidy her house. "So we end up deep inside the cavern," he continues, dusting Fluttershy's shelves with gusto while doing so, "and there, stuck in a rock, was the Dragon Scepter." Fluttershy didn't have to turn around from her sweeping to see Spike's eyes dilate from awe. "But, of course, before I can grab it, that dragon Garble, from earlier, pushes me off the cliff!" "Oh, my!" Fluttershy responded, turning her head in worry. "What happened after that?" "Well, that's one of the best parts of this story!" Spike said with a smile. "Princess Ember, out of nowhere, flew in and saved me!" Fluttershy grinned. "Oh, you mean the one who abandoned you because apparently, 'dragons don't do friends?'" "That's the one! Turns out she had a change of heart, which i'm glad for. Like Twilight says, everyone needs a friend." Fluttershy then heard Spike speak, in a different, more regal tone: "'Even those with claws, firebreath, and of large enough size to crush you like a toothpick.'" Spike giggled. "Ha! Twilight's exact words. Not that they're wrong mind you." "Oh, indeed." Fluttershy said in an agreeable tone, still smiling. Though inside, she kinda wanted to cringe. Princess Ember did sound very nice, according to Spike's story, and Fluttershy was certainly appreciative of her rescuing her favorite dragon. However, she wouldn't want to meet her anytime soon. Sure, she tangled with a much bigger dragon, along with manticores, hydras, and small bugs that happened to eat anything in sight, before, but dragons still sent a shiver down her spine every time she even thought of them. "So, after Ember made Rumble decree he hug everyone he meets-ha-we went back to the dragonlands, and me, Twi and Rarity came back here." With that sentence, Spike finished his dusting with the final wave of the duster. "Ever since, me and Ember have sent each other scrolls to stay in contact." Fluttershy raised an eyebrow. "But she doesn't have your 'scroll-breath', does she? How exactly does she send scrolls to you?" "Uh, something i'm sure Twilight helped her with before we left, I don't quite know," Spike responded, shrugging his shoulders, "but that's not important at the moment!" He put down the duster, excitedly ran over to his bag, and took out a small scroll. "Just yesterday, I sent an invitation for her to come over here to Ponyville to hang out, maybe make some more pony friends! And guess what?" Fluttershy put her broom down for a moment, and turned back to Spike. From his big smile and jumpiness, she could already tell the best. She smiled, and pretended to think for a moment, humming. "I don't know, Spike. What?" "She accepted the invitation!" Like that, Spike jumped higher than a bouncing bunny. Fluttershy could practically feel his giddiness wallowing inside him, it was so strong. "Well, that's great, Spike! I'm so glad you've been able to make another friend outside of Ponyville." She turned back around, and picked up her broom, resuming her sweeping. "You should come back afterwards, and let me know how it went." "Uh, actually," Fluttershy heard, "about that, uh...." Fluttershy turned back around. "What is it, Spike?" "Uh, well...."Spike crossed his arms behind his back, and began to stare at his feet. "I don't know if I should ask you.." Fluttershy frowned and scrunched her eyebrows in worry. "Tell me, Spike. What is it? What do you want to ask me?" Spike looked back up. "Well, you heard me say that I wanted to help Ember make some friends, right?" "Yes." "Well........"Fluttershy could see Spike looking to his scroll, then back to her, his sensitive baby-dragon thinking gears running like mad in his head. "N-nevermind. I-it's not..Well, it is important, but uh..." "Spike, what is it?" Fluttershy retorted, her raised brow furrowing down to mild frustration along with her vocal tone. "N-nothing! I-I'll just ask someone else in town," Spike quickly retorted back, turning away from Fluttershy's tiny outburst. "Oh, come now, Spike!" Spike went back to staring at his feet, twiddling one on his toes. Fluttershy crossed her brows fully. She knew he had something to say, but he wasn't saying it. Yet, she thought of an idea, and began to smile. She squinted deviously at him. "Spike, am I gonna have to use the Stare on you?" Spike looked back up. Instantly, Fluttershy could see the fear growing in his eyes. Spike has never seen the Stare in full dragon person, but she's told him enough of her use of it for him to know it can be deadly. Even now, his whole body shuddered like the first time she retold her tale of the Cockatrice to him some time ago. His spike's stood on end like when she regaled of how her Stare helped silence a massive horde of fruit bats so that Applejack's crop could be saved. Then, a tear began to slither out of Spike's eye. Fluttershy's smile went away. Fluttershy walked up to Spike, turned him around, and brought a hoof to his chin. "Don't worry, Spike. I'm not going to use the Stare. I would never want to actually scare you, or put you in a situation like that." She then gave Spike a quick peck on the forehead. "I'm your friend." Spike stared only for a moment, as if pondering, then immediately looked away, bringing his attention back to his feet. Fluttershy felt a small tinge of disappointment in her stomach, but continued to show her smile as she began to walk back to her broom. "Alright then." She picked up and resumed her sweeping once more. "When you're ready to ask me, just say it, and i'll be here, listening." With that came silence. Fluttershy didn't turn back to check on Spike's reaction. She had done this several times with baby animals before, and it had worked almost everytime. Several moments passed. Then more. Fluttershy began to sweep the same areas before. Inside, she began to worry. Out of Spike's sight, she began to frown. I guess Spike's much more different than a baby bunny, or a squirrel. But then, she heard a groan from behind. She grinned in anticipation. Jackpot. Then, an inhale, as if ready to ask something. Fluttershy internally prepped herself. Her mind, body, and hooves and ears, ready to listen to her friend ask her a question. "Would you like to meet her?" Fluttershy felt a mild ecstasy. Yes!!! "There now," she said with a giggle, "was that so har-" With a sudden halt, like a train stopping at full speed, Fluttershy's mind went completely thoughtless, having just processed what she just heard. Her eyes also bulged, as if golfballs were shooting out of her eyeholes. "Wait, what?" "Do you want to meet her?" Spike repeated. "Princess Ember?" Immediately, Fluttershy stopped. And by that, she didn't just stop. She stopped dead in her tracks. And not just with fear. With a spine-chilling, heart-stopping ,carnivorous fear that gobbled her up whole like a giant, hungry beast. Immediately, the only thoughts that were in her mind that very second were thoughts from her life. Thoughts involving those scariest of creatures, with tremendous size and strength that could rival the great giants of Equestrian legend or the massive creatures of today. Teeth that could gnaw at her bones until they were nothing but sticks. Sharp claws that could grab her and rip her skin off faster than they could say, "pray to Celestia." Skin of scales tougher than the hide of a hydra and sharper than a nail! And the fire breath!!! "U-uh..umm...u-u-..uhhh..well, Spike..." The broom began to fall, but Spike caught it as he walked to her side, knowing he struck a frightened nerve. "Look, Fluttershy, I know you don't like dragons, other than me, but I think you'd really like her!" Spike said, as he put the broom horizontally on the floor. "She's helpful, like you. She's handled big animals, just like you. She.."-Spike paused for a moment, his eyes wandering to the ceiling- "flies just like you." "Well, yes, bu-" "And I bet, if you just met her, you'd like her quick as a snap!" Spike snapped his claws, as if to prove his point further. "Uh, maybe, yes, but, Spi-" "And I already asked Twilight, but she was too busy studying," Spike continued, as he began to pace across the room and back. "Rarity couldn't, cause she was working on a new fashion line for her store in Canterlot-" "Well-" "-Rainbow Dash is with her relatives in Cloudsdale-" "Spike, I-" "-Applejack says she can't, cause she's has work on the farm to do-" "I-I don't think-" "-And Pinkie Pie says she wants to spend the next few days making cakes and eating them just for fun!" "SPIKE!!!!!!" Spike jumped, his eyes wide with sudden fear. His mouth was shut tight as he turned around to Fluttershy, gasping for breath from her endeavor to actually shout that loud. Fluttershy took a deep breath, then sighed. "I know you mean well, Spike, but what if it doesn't work out? What if something bad happens?" Spike scoffed, and waved his hand at the notion. "Nah! Ember's sweeter than you think. She wouldn't hurt anyone or do anything wrong." "Well, um, she's a dragon, and she'll be in a town filled with ponies. You don't think she might feel weird?" "All the more reason for her to come-to meet some ponies and maybe become friends with them." Fluttershy began to sweat. "U-uh..what if ponies here are scared, o-or surprised she'll be here? They might not like a dragon suddenly visiting." "Ah, that's ridiculous, Shy! I told everyone in the town that she was visiting, and they all seemed a-ok with it!" "Uh, but..." "No buts about it, Fluttershy! Everything's going to go fine!" Spike stopped for a moment, putting a finger on his chin and looking up to the sky, frowning. "Hopefully." Spike then immediately brought himself to Fluttershy's hooves. "But please, Fluttershy? Ember needs to talk with some pony on her visit!" Fluttershy only stood there, sweating out the Rainbow Falls, while her legs shook like the ground during an active stampede. "U-uh.." "Please?" "W-w-well.." "Please?" "I, uh...." "PLEEEAAASE?!" "Look, Spike, I-" "Please, pleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease PLEEEEEAAAAAAA-" "SPIKE!" Spike once again went silent. Fluttershy, once more shaken up by her outburst, took another deep breath. "I don't think I can do it, Spike. I'm sorry." Spike only looked down, a sad look upon his face. Quickly, feelings of guilt began to creep into Fluttershy's mind. She shut her eyes tights and turned away from Spike's obvious disappointment. "That's ok, then." Fluttershy opened her eyes back up and turned back. "What?" "It's fine. I get it." Spike smiled back at her, getting back on his feet. "You have a thing about dragons that can't be handled right now. It's deep. I get it." Spike began walking to the door. "R-really?" "Yep," Spike replied, "You don't have to go if you don't want to. It'll be fine without somepony, like I said." Spike turned around to Fluttershy as he opened the door. "I'm your friend, as you are mine. I have to respect your problems, like a good friend does." With that, Spike started to close the door. "Wait!" Spike swiveled back to Fluttershy. She could see the hopeful excitement in his face. "You.. could..." Spike's eyes were wide with optimistic glee. Fluttershy mentally groaned. "You could.....still...tell me about it when you're done. I won't mind." An instant frown came onto Spike's face. Fluttershy felt her shame smack her in the face, bringing her the worst kind of pain. Spike then smiled, gave her a thumbs-up, and closed the door. Fluttershy could only stand in that very spot in which she brutally mangled Spike's hopes. Well, mangled was a little strong for it, but still. Fluttershy thought. But even so-was it so wrong? Fluttershy walked to her shelf. On it were several assortments of souvenirs from her life. On a particular shelf was her memoirs and pictures from when she visited the Breezies in migration. Included in it were several letters from Pinkie Pie, her most, well, enthusiastic pony pal. Fluttershy could always know when her letters got back to Pinkie, cause she could feel Pinkie's energy explode everytime she got them in the mail, even several miles away. On another shelf was a picture of her in a dazzling forest gown made for her by Rarity for the Grand Galloping Gala. Oh, my. Rarity sure went a lot to get that dress made-not to mention a while for me to realize that it was a perfect gift for me. Fluttershy giggled at herself, remembering the trouble she and the others had put on their fashionable friend after she so dearly did a huge thing for them, and how they almost ruined her, which, thankfully, they helped her to recover. On yet another shelf, there were several books from the personal library of her dear bookworm friend, Twilight Sparkle. The Little Bird that Could. The Wonders of the Worm. How the Squirrel Saved The Nuthoard. All books she borrowed from a good friend who was so kind as to let her borrow them. Sigh. Such great friends. Fluttershy smiled, but then looked to the floor. Unlike me. Her eyes then went to another part of the shelf. On it was a lone picture of a purple dragon, giving Fluttershy a great big thumbs up. A birthday present from Spike, with an ivory frame and jewels in the four corners. Engraved at the bottom, Fluttershy read: Happy birthday from your favorite dragon! Your friend, Spike Fluttershy shut her eyes for only a moment, then opened them back up, putting on a look of utter bravery and determination. Fluttershy quickly ran for the door, and opened it with a swish. "Spi-aaah!" There stood Spike, or rather now lay, as he was resting on the door when Fluttershy swung it open. Immediately, he stood back up, a goofy smile on his face. "What? Iwasn'tstandinghereforafewmoresecondshopingyouwouldchangeyourmind!" Fluttershy chose not to respond to that. Instead, she, with a gulp, let out a breath. "I'll go." Instantly, Fluttershy gasped as Spike jumped on her, hugging her with all his might. "Oh, thank you, Fluttershy! Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou! Trust me, you will not regret it!" With that, Spike, continued to hug her. Fluttershy could only hug him back, patting his back and smiling her own goofy smile. Internally, she gulped again. Oh, I hope so.
Meeting With EmberYou are looking at a brave pony. You are looking at a brave pony. "You are looking at a brave pony." Fluttershy continued to repeat this to herself in the mirror. Through her old football helmet, she gave herself the biggest glare she could possibly make. Despite the pillow wrapped around her body and the old kneecaps strapped to her, she had the stance of a warrior. "Come on, Fluttershy." Fluttershy stared even closer to her reflection, her glare in full intimidation mode. "you think you can't handle a simple get-together?" Her reflection immediately lost her glare, and began to back away. "u-um, well, I, uh-" "Really?" the real Fluttershy retorted. "Do you really want to hurt your friend just cause of some silly fear?" Fluttershy then suddenly jumped forward, shocking her reflection to her knees. "Well, DO YOU?!" "I-I-I don't know!" Reflect-Fluttershy began to weep through her helmet. "I don't want to hurt Spike, but I also reallyreallyreally REALLY don't want to deal with a ferocious, fire-breathing dragon, either!" Getting back up, wiping the tears from her eyes, Fluttershy reflected on this statement, then began to back off of her mirrored copy. Her glare replace itself with a caring, yet concerned look. "I know, I know, me. It is scary. I am just as terrified as you." Fluttershy moved towards her reflection till she was only two inches from her mirrorized muzzle. "But guess what? Sometimes, that's what life is: facing your fears. Accepting the terrifying. Embracing the unknown!" She smiled. "Now then, are we ready?" Reflect-Fluttershy smiled back, and said, "Yes. I am." "I couldn't hear you!" Fluttershy jumped onto her mirror cabinet. "I said, are you ready?! YES I AM! ARE YOU READY?!? YES! I AM! ARE YOUUU READYYYYYYYYYYYY-" "Shy?" The jump both Reflect-Shy and the real Fluttershy both made a jump in the air at such a speed that it could (maybe) rival Fili-Second. She bonked her head on the floor, her helmet protecting her brain from any serious harm. Despite this, as she got up, she got quite the headache forming. Grabbing her head and cringing, Fluttershy then opened her eyes back up to see Spike in her entryway. To describe his face at that moment would be the same to describe a chipmunk after seeing a French Fry for the first time: weirded out and confused, but still intrigued. "Oh, Spike!" Fluttershy immediately got back on her feet, dusting herself off quick as a whip. "I-I-I uh didn't see you there!" "What...... are you doing?" Spike asked, his eyes still wide. "Uh, uh, umwell, I uh...um-"Fluttershy felt her panic mode begin to rise yet again. The sweat started to trail. Then her eyes diverted from Spike as one of her animal friends, the bear, trudge in. He obviously just woke up, as it was his enormous yawn that turned Fluttershy's head and eyes to him. He only saw her watching him, and weakly waved. This, in turn, set Fluttershy's gears a-turning. Swooshing over, Fluttershy grabbed her bear friend around the shoulder, making him twitch in surprise. "Weeee were just about to..play a game of hoofball before you came!" Spike raised his brow. "You..play hoofball?" Fluttershy's mind, though still sort of off guard, managed to come up with, ".....Yyyyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeeeeeess?" Her mind still processing, she continued. "I , uh, I like to get my mind and body pumped sometimes, uh, before I go out. Heh, you know, uh-" She quickly started tackling the bear. "YEAH! LET"S DO IT! YEAAAAAAAAH!!" Spike stared for a second, then crossed his arms. The look on his face turned to one of judgment. "Rrreally?" "....Uuuuuuumm.."Fluttershy only stared back, not showing her teeth. "Yyyyyyyyyyyyes." For a solid minute, it was only a battle of stares and looks. Spike squinted at Fluttershy, his eyes silently burning into her soul. Fluttershy could only stare back, not Stare-worthy, but enough to not wet herself in pure terror. The bear, meanwhile, could only stare into oblivion cross-eyed, feeling the usual feelings after being punched in the gut several times: confusion, rage, nausea, and the slight feeling that he just broke a rib. "OK!" Spike said with a clap of his hands and a smile. "Then, let's get going!" Fluttershy whewed quietly as Spike walked out. She turned around and mouthed Sorry to her bear friend as she walked out, with the bear only responding with a weak wave, then turning around and falling flat on his belly. Fluttershy was able to stream out the equivalent of Neighagara Falls in sweat by the time she and Spike had gotten to Sugarcube Corner. "She should be here any minute,"Spike said, an enthusiastic smile on his face. "Before I left this morning, she had sent me a scroll saying that she was on her way. Hopefully she didn't run into anything dangerous." Fluttershy felt ashamed for doing so, but crossed her back hooves that she did. She put on a smile. "I hope not, either." Fluttershy went back into her mind as she and Spike waited. You can do this, Fluttershy. I know you can! It'll be fine. She's nice, and friendly, and *not quite as scary as other dragons*, like Spike said. "Here she comes!" Spike shouted, pointing in the air. The bright light of the sun evaded Fluttershy's view for a mere millisecond as a shadow soared over her head. Her wings immediately folded into her body. BOOM! Fluttershy screamed, and ducked for cover, her hooves over her eyes. Her inner panic began to monologue. Changelings! HYDRA! Earthquake! GIANT WORMS!!!!! "Giant worms?" Fluttershy'stared mind stopped. It is a voice different from Spike's. Feminine. Older. Not like any she heard from anyone she knew in Ponyville. "It's okay, Fluttershy. It's just Ember!" Shy's inner monologue started up again, but only this time in the course of the second she took to uncover her eyes. Youcandothisyoucandothisyoucandothis! Youcandothisyoucandothisyoucandothis!!YOUCANDOTHISYOUCANDOTHISYOUCANDOTHIS!!!!! The dragon she saw was a nice, light blue. Scales ran all over the skin, like ants over an anthill. Her large, but thin, hind legs stood a foot apart. Fluttershy mentally gulped as she saw the large claws her feet presented as Ember stood there. She looked up, and saw her other claws, growing from her hands like Tirek's horns. In her face, Fluttershy stared into the reddest pair of eyes she had ever seen, like rubies of fire. Yet, she also saw, for lack of a better word, light. This may be surprising, but Fluttershy overall, was somewhat scared, yet at the time...calmed by what she saw. As if that light in Ember's inferno-like eyes somewhat quelled her crippling fear. "Well, Ember, I would like you to meet one of my friends, Fluttershy!" Ember raised her arm to Fluttershy. "Hi." "H-h-hello.." Fluttershy returned the dragonpaw with a hoof, shaking it delicately. "You will have to excuse her, Ember. She has a bit of a fear of-mmmh!" Spike tried to finish his sentence through Fluttershy's hoof, which surprisingly could move again. Fluttershy gave a big smile to Ember as she leaned over to Spike, whispering through her teeth, "Ixnay." Spike put her hoof down, and, giving her a passing confused glare, continued, "What I meant to say was, Ember, is that Fluttershy's really done many things with, well, a dragon before. Or anypony, for that matter. Cause, well, she's...shy! Hence her name, Fluttershy." "Oh. O..K?" Ember said, one of her thin black eyebrows raised. "Let's..go in, then?" With that, she continued to watch them questioningly as she stepped into the Corner. Spike grinned at her until she was out of sight, then turned to Fluttershy. "What was that about?" "Well, you can't just say to her I'm afraid of dragons! One, it's rude to say that to a dragon, at least I would think. Two, it might ruin this! If she knew about my fear, she would feel soo bad throughout the get-together, and she wouldn't have a good time!" Her eyes bulged. "I would already be a problem, what with not being able to speak to her!" "Oh, come on! You were like that with everypony here, and still are! They understand. Why couldn't she?" Fluttershy inhaled, then sighed. "My shyness is one thing, Spike." She lowered her head, her eyes watering. "This...problem, with dragons...is another thing, entirely." Spike only muttered, "Oh." He raised her face with a paw. "I understand, then." He sighed, as well. "If you want to go back home, that's fine, then. But thanks for trying." Fluttershy wiped her eyes. "No, no! It's ok. I'll still try and make friends with her! It'll just be.."She gulped big and loud- "hard." "Alright, then," Spike said, shrugging his shoulders. "Let's go in, then." They then walked in slowly, Fluttershy taking deep breaths as they did. But when they got in, their mouths dropped to a rather strange sight.
Sweets With A Dragon Duo (One-half cute, the other kinda, um, scary)Spike's jaw reclined into a hearty smirk as he witnessed Ember being a jungle gym to the fillies currently dining at the Sugarcube Corner. He watched in humored pleasure as Ember stood, arms outward, still as a sleeping buffalo, as the little ponies climbed all around her body. Two of them, one green colt with blue hair and one orange one with oranger hair, were racing around and underneath her standing legs. She winced, yet cracked a polite smile as two other fillies, both mare twins with cerulean skin and brown hair, one braided and one not, were giggling aplenty as they rode up and down on her wings. Spike saw Ember wince a little bit more, then turn around to see a smaller baby filly, white with gray hair, gender currently unknown, gnawing on her tail as if it was a teething ring. "Childreeeeen!" Somepony said, a sweetened alarm to her tone definite. Immediately, all the fillies got off (or, at least, spit out her apparently gum-soothing back appendage) and went off to the source of the call, a yellow-skinned adult mare with curly dark-blonde hair, wearing a nice, bright blue necklace. "Oh, terribly sorry about that, um, miss......dragon," the mother said, in the sweetest tone she could muster, for meeting a dragon in the Sugarcube Corner for the first time(hey, can you blame her?), then quickly and quietly shuffled back to her corner of the sweet store. "Well, well, Ember! Looks like you already made some friends!" Spike said enthusiastically, trotting over to her. "Sure, I..guess?" Ember replied, rubbing drool off her tail. "But, I still don't know about making friends here." "Are you kidding?! Those kids loved you! You'll definitely be able to make friends here!, Right, Fluttershy?" Fluttershy was currently still mouth agape, eyes like bowling balls, at what she just witnessed, her mind a mixture of white noise and a series of OHMYCELESTIA!!!s. Hearing her name spoken, she managed to mutter," Um, yeah, yeah." "..weeell, then, let's..get a table, Ember." Spike put his hand on Ember's back, leading her to another corner of the Corner. Fluttershy, gaining full thought-process, facehoofed herself, realizing her reaction. Immediately, she dashed over, dragging a chair out for Ember. "Here you go," Fluttershy said, giving her dragon acquaintance the biggest smile she could make thus far. Ember only slightly grinned back, and took the seat. Fluttershy only took her own, partially relieved of guilt. The next few seconds, about thirty to be exact, were spent in complete silence. Fluttershy only stared at her hoofs, occasionally glancing at Ember, and swiftly going back down the moment Ember so much as turned a scale. Ember, tapping her claws on the table, only looked around at the décor of the Corner, with its bright colors and nice atmosphere, partially getting a whiff of its nice cupcake-topped-with-a-chocolate chip cookie smell. It made her feel calmed-and partially hungry. Spike, on the other hand, focused on glancing back and forth between his old pony friend, and his new dragon friend, his hope shining in his smile. However, given the sweat furrowing on his skin, he was either only trying to be hopeful, or he needed to pee. Either way, he looked uneasy. His mouth opened up a bit, as if to say something. "So-" "Hiddee-ho, everypony!" All turned to see a bouncing pink pony bound into the room with a gigantic smile on her face, as she hummed a little song. Her cotton-candy-like hair swirled around as she wove around like a hopping bunch of bubble gum. "Hey, Spike! Fluttershy! How are two of my bestesty best friends ever this avidly amazing afternoon?" Both were left unable to answer as Pinkie Pie continued. "Meivebeingdoingwellimanagedtomakesomecake, thenblowupsomeballoonsthenmakecakethenfixmypartycannonthenmakesomecupcakes, thensawadragon,thenmadeevenmore-" Pinkie, for once, stopped dead in her tracks. Her eyes dashed to Ember. "Gasp! DRAGON! RUN FOR YOUR LIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVES!" She could not get away, the hole she made in the floor from incessant leg use in one space too deep for her to get out. She continued screaming banter as the rest of the Corner looked at the spectacle. Fluttershy, in a flash, soared into the tunnel and grabbed Pinkie out of it. She tried to hold on to her, but Pinkie's speed and strength were as large as her love of parties. She gave a look to Spike. He noticed her bulging, panicked and tiring eyes, and knew he was needed. "Pinkie, it's ok! it's ok! Ember's not gonna hurt you!" "How do you know that, Spike?!" "Cause, um..well..she's..um...........different from other dragons?!" And just like that: "Oh. Ok!" Pinkie hopped right out of Fluttershy's arms, her back legs unwillingly kicking her square in the muzzle and sending her to the ground. "Wow! A real dragon, here in the Sugarcube Corner! Ah! This is definitely a selfie moment!" Pinkie pulled out a camera, from where nobody knew, grabbed Ember, and shoved both of them into the shutter. FLASH Everypony covered their eyes at the shock of the camera's light. Spike rubbed his eyes, and opened them to see Ember and Pinkie, dazed and rocking back and forth from the shock. He noticed their eyes were almost completely white, their pupils were so contracted. Pinkie giggled as she rocked side to side, still holding an aching Ember. "Got that flash from Canterlot, hee hee! The guy who sold the camera said, hah, "You'll never see greater pictures than this!" Ember held her head, barely soaking in Pinkie's words as a result of the instant headache. "Yeah...I can see why." "Ha! I know, right! Ha ha ha!" Pinkie raised the camera to her eyes. "Nother one?!" "NO!" Pinkie felt a pain to that very word as she felt claws push her back. She then saw Ember slowly get smaller through the viewhole of the camera as she sailed back. BAM! Into the wall she went. Pinkie could only collapse into quite-literal jelly onto the floor, her now-dough-like hands still holding the camera. Debris from the Pinkie-shaped hole fell on her head as she lay there, her eyes staring widely at Ember still. "Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry about that!" Ember retorted. "I'm...a bit..jumpy today." She flapped over to Pinkie, cringing at the damage. "Are you..ok?" Ember was only met with the picture as it printed out of the slot of the camera. Then, a moment later, one of Pinkie's gelatin hoofs rose up to her and slowly but surely formed a thumbs-up. Ember somberly walked back to her seat at the table and sat down, Spike doing the same. Ember sighed. "I'm really sorry 'bout that, Spike. I'm just not used to......attention like that." Spike nervously chuckled. "uh, no problem. Pinkie's been through worse things. Heh, right, Shy?" Fluttershy, having only been watching Ember the whole time through the ordeal, swiveled her head. "Huh?" Then, the question processed itself in her head. "Oh, oh yeah, right, Spike. It, uh, could've been worse." Her eyes glanced to Ember's tail, its spikes shining under the light of the sun shining through the windows. "Youuu-you could've....if you had the tail just right, heh, j-just chopped her in half! Ha!" Fluttershy didn't know it, but then, her mouth started going more. "Or-or you could've knocked her right out of the Corner entirely! Or you could've smashed all her bones! Or well, maybe, you could've hit with your..your sharp claws, or-or-or you knock her into other customers, hurting them too, you could've used your mouth, and eaten-" "Fluttershy!" Fluttershy blinked in surprise, shaking her head. She quickly passed her eye over Spike. The retort in his voice was evident, matching his clenched smile and sweating brow perfectly. She passed back to Ember. Her dilated pupils and shriveled, concerned brow said it all. "Uh......right........could've been worse." Spike quickly wiped his brow in approval as he turned to Ember. "I apologize on Fluttershy's behalf, Ember." He added with a nicely-disguised chuckle, "I -I think she might have played hoofball a bit too much this morning. Heh." Ember slowly nodded. "Okayyyyyyy." Her hands, then clenched to herself, settled to the table, gripping the edge. Again, the silence of discomfort stewed in the air. Ember stared at Fluttershy this time, her scales beginning to turn wet with sweat. Spike did the same as before, sweating and smiling, as if pretending nothing had happened, but to no avail. Fluttershy only went back to her hoofs, silently exhaling her inner frustration, clenching her eyes and hoping she could turn invisible at that very moment. Then, an odd question. "So.....what's hoofball?" Ember said, scooting to her fellow dragon. Spike turned to Fluttershy. "Uh.......care to explain?" Fluttershy turned her eyes from Ember to Spike, her inner alarm starting up. However, she only silently sighed again, only this time, she exhaled her immediate urge to forget her ideals and give Spike the Stare at that very moment. This is not going to be pleasant.
