Live&Learn

“OUCH!” I yelped when I fell for the fifth time.

Since the time I woke up, I was trying to walk without falling. It was getting easier, but still was hard to control my wings and tail. Every time I stopped paying attention to them, something would happen and I’d end up on the floor again. The first time my tail lashed to the side and I lost balance. The second time one of the wings simply spread and weighed me to the side. The third time I fell when my other wing spread. The fourth time, I kept my attention in both wings, but lost concentration on my tail and it lashed to the side, making me fall. This time, I tried to focus on the three at the same time, but, don't ask me how, I started to flap my wings and lift a few inches from the floor, just to fall again. I was panting, staying on all fours. Slowly I forced myself to stand up again. If it was not for the wings and tail, I would be running by now!

My room's door opened and Steel head came inside with a sleepy face.
“What are you doing Eravel? If you are trying to kill yourself go to the balcony and jump. The bed is not high enough for t-thaaaat....” He finished his phrase with a yawn.
“If I could at least REACH the balcony on my own...” I said with that childish voice of mine and sat on the floor, crossing my arms. “These dam wings and tail are always in the way! Why couldn't Celestia find a dragon WITHOUT the wings... like spike for example...”
“Oh stop whining.” He chuckled and grabbed me, putting me on his back and walking out of the room. “Wings are awesome to have! I can't imagine myself without them.” Steel Head said going downstairs. “Just you wait... When you learn how to use those beauties you will never want to walk again!” The royal guard put me in a chair with a pile of books on it, so I could be at the right level to use the table.
“I hope you are right...” I said in a sigh.

When I had my body, I was the one that cooked every meal... But for obvious reasons, Steel Head made our breakfast. For him some bread with hay and flowers, and for me he chopped some fruits...
“So... during this month that I was out... what else happen?” I asked while eating.
“Hmm, not much I guess.” He said with his mouth full. “After the wedding and the whole invasion thing, every other event lost its importance.”
“hmm... and the girls? I mean, were they ok after what happen?” I asked, since I didn't had idea of what had truly happen after I defeated myself.
“Of course! They may be girls, but they are more brave than many royal guard I know” He said smiling widely.
“Yes, but...” I started to say but Steel Head cut me off.
“They forgave you for what happened... It was not your fault...” He said.
“Even Fluttershy?” I asked looking at him.
“Ahm... yes... why?” He asked confused.
“Yesterday, when I left the egg, all the girls looked fine; except for Fluttershy... she looked somewhat worried.” I said
“Well... She looked a little worried... and she didn't talk at all too.” He said thinking.
“Maybe she didn't forgive me after all...” I sighed.
“No, there must other reason... I mean... She's the element of Kindness... It's in her nature forgive others.” he said serious. “Let's not make any conclusions yet...”

We finished our breakfast and he went to clean the dishes while I kept practicing on walking and controlling my new wings and tail. I didn't do any other thing the whole morning and Steel Head was there to help me. I was really lucky to have such a patient friend... He stood there by my side all day long. I only started to walk right when the sun started to go down. After so much time of practice, my mind was starting to assimilate the new parts of my body, and I no longer needed to focus all the time to keep my wings closed and my tail align with my body and help me keep balance, instead of lashing around and make me fall.

After dinner, I walked upstairs, using my hands and legs to climb…I really needed to take a bath... I was sore from the falls and really tired, since my body was still so 'fresh'. I don't really know what happened then. I just recall of me entering the bathroom, turning it on and then... I woke up with the sun coming in from my glass door that leaded to the balcony. I stood up and climbed down my bed, breathed deeply and started to walk. It was much easier now, and soon I was going downstairs on my own, to the kitchen. It was still difficult to go down stairs, I have to admit.. Almost fell twice. I had to go step by step, with much caution…. But I managed to arrive at my destination in time.
“Oh hi Eravel.” I heard Twilight Sparkle greeting me. She was standing next to Steel Head and Spike, near the entrance door. “I see that you are already walking on your own...” She said looking a bit impressed.
“Yeah... it took me a whole day of practice... but I finally got used to this body... well, kind of...” I said with my childish voice.

Spike got closer to me and started to scan me with his eyes... I arched an eye brow a little worried. When I was still a human, I never had a connection with the little dragon... We never really talked more than what was necessary. His stare was starting to make me uneasy... he was half an inch taller than me.
“You breath fire in you first day... and on your second day you are already walking on two legs? Not bad... not bad at all.” He said and patted my head as if I was some kind of child being praised for a good deed.
“Spike, you know I'm not two days old right?” I said sighing.
“Well, technically you are. As a fellow dragon I give you my welcome to you lil'bro. Any question you may have, don't think twice before coming ask to your elder.” He said proudly.

I blinked a few times after that statement and turned to see Twilight and Steel Head when they started to giggle.
“By Odin...” I mumbled and face palmed.
“I just came here to see how you were doing...” Twilight said. “but I see that you are ok”
“Yeah... I'm still getting used to this body, but at least I can walk now without falling.”
“Hey Spike” Steel Head said. “Why don't you take Eravel here to walk around? I BET that he wants to learn everything that an elder dragon like you have to teach.” The royal guard, or should I say... The royal JERK said to the baby dragon.
“Awesome!” Spike said really excited. “Come Eravel! Let’s go!” Spike said, grabbing my arm and pulling, dragging me out of my house before I could even think about protesting.

I had a bit difficult on walking now that I was being pulled like that. I had to use great effort to not fall.
“It’s so nice to actually meet a fellow dragon that is not mean!” He said happily “last time I meet with my own kind they proved to be a bunch of dumb dragons... always making fun of me and they even wanted to smash a phoenix egg! Can you believe this!?” He said while dragging me around.
“Yeah... must have been awful indeed.” I said rolling my eyes, tying to be patient with the baby dragon. In a way, I could understand why he was so excited... I would feel the same if a human showed up. But I was not in a good mood. The feeling of being powerless was still bugging me.

We walked a few minutes until we finally reach the city. There, many ponies started to look at me a bit confused. I think that they didn't knew that I was the same human that they saw before And I would need to face those awkward stares all over again. A fuchsia mare approached us with a smile.
“Hi Spike, who is this little friend of yours?” She said looking at me. Spike was still holding my hand.
“Oh, this is Er-” Spike was going to say but I carved my claw on his hand and he yelped in surprise, giving me the opportunity to speak.
“I'm Erin.” I said forcing a smile. “I'm new around here, please to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too young man. I'm Cheerilee, teacher in Ponyvile's school. Are you going to study with miss Twilight Sparkle at the library like spike?” She asked.
“Ahm... no... I'm living in another place, outside the city.” I said trying to avoid giving any details of where or with whom I lived.
“Hmm... in this case I'll invite you to show up at the school tomorrow.” She said smiling. “It is important that every youngster have a proper education.”
I was going to say something but she simply cut me off.
“And don't come with the excuse that you are not a pony.” She said in a more serious tone, but still smiling.
“But I was not going to say tha-” I started again and she simply cut off me again.
“Tomorrow morning at the school young man, no excuses!” She said and trotted away, not giving me chance to argue about that.

I stood there, watching as the fuchsia mare got away. Who the hell did she think she was to talk to me like that!?
“Heh... looks like you have to go school tomorrow” Spike chuckled, teasing me.
“What? Forget it! I'm not going!” I said starting to walk away from the baby dragon.
“Aw, c'mon, don't be like that, I was only joking around. Beside, why didn’t you say your true name to her?” He asked walking next to me.
“Because I don't want anyone knowing who I really am... I mean, imagine how they would react if they knew that I was a human that had his soul transferred to a dead dragon egg?” I said looking at him.
“Hmm.. yeah... it is kind of creepy when you put it that way.” Spike said walking next to me.
He was going to say something but stopped when my stomach growled, crying for food.
“Tsk... I didn't eat anything this morning...” I said in a sigh… Spike rushed so fast dragging me around, that I didn't even had the time for a breakfast.
I heard Spike chuckling next to me and a few pats on my shoulder.
“Come, I know the perfect place for a breakfast that you will never forget!” The baby dragon said happily and started to walk.

I followed him through the city, trying to ignore the stares and some comments about how 'cute' I was and other stuff like that. It was getting really annoying now. Lucky for me, we didn't walk too much farther. He stopped at a jewelry store and entered. I wondered why he would bring me to a place like this.

The store had a counter made of glass, with many hoof-rings, earnings, necklaces and other pieces of jewelry. A light cream pony with white mane and a big mustache waved to us. He wore a pair of small glasses and a fine green line vest. At first I thought that my senses were all messed up, because the whole store had a sweet smell... a smell that was making me even hungrier, like I had entered in some food store, like Sugar Cube Corner.
“Hello Spike.” He said “I see you found a friend eh?” He smiled at me and I just waved.
“Hey there Mister Bright!” Spike said having his hand. “He's kind of new in town.”
“And I see you already brought him to the best place in town eh?” He cuckled. “Hold on boys, I'll bring the gems for you.” The light cream stallion walked through a door and came back with a sack full of something.
“I'll tell Twilight that I came here today, so she can pay you” Spike said grabbing the sack.
“OH, don't worry about it Spike, I wasn't going to use those gems anyway... too big to be used in a jewel and I still got plenty of extra gems in the back...” He shrugged.
“Wow, thanks mister Bright. You sure are the best!” Spike said.
“Don't mention it. Have fun you two.” The stallion waved to us as we passed through the door.

We walked to a near bench and sat on it. I was really curious of what had inside the bag... I mean, it couldn't be gems... At least not the gems that that store sold. But to my surprise it was. When Spike opened the bag I saw all sorts of colorful gems with all kinds of colors and shapes. They smelled so good, and my mouth filled with water in no time... Even my stomach growled again.
“Beautiful isn't?” Spike said and grabbed a red gem from the sack. “Fire Ruby... My favorite.” He said and then gave it a bite.

I blinked a few times when I saw his teeth crushing the gem like a cookie, as if it was nothing, and more than that, He started to chew the stone and swallow it all. How the hell did he do that!?
“Here, give it a try” He said picking a blue gem for me.
“Ahm... I don't know if I can...” I said taking the gem from his hand and staring at it.
“You are a dragon now, we can feed on gems... Go ahead and give it a bite” Spike encouraged me.

I stared at the blue gem and gave it a lick. It tasted incredible good... it was nothing like I ever tasted before. It was sweet but not like a cupcake... Hard to describe the taste actually. I grabbed the gem with my jaws and pressed it and the gem simply crumbled under the lightest pressure. I started to chew on it and the gem simply melted in my mouth.... It tasted so good that I felt shivers down my spine. It was sweet and had an after taste like mint... I shoved the rest of the gem in my mouth and chewed on it like there was no tomorrow. It was simply delicious!
“Good eh?” Spike said grabbing another gem and giving it to me.
“Good? This is the most amazing thing that I ever had! I mean... first, I'm eating a rock! Second... it tastes awesome!” I grabbed the gem he gave me and eat it in a few bites.

We stood there, looking at the ponies come and go while sharing a sack of gems, just enjoying our threat.
“So... how is it?” He asked to me after a few moments of silence.
“How is what?”
“You know... You and Rainbow Dash...” He said in a relaxed tone.
“Well... I don't know... I don't think I want to see her yet...” I answered looking down.
“Why? She likes you... and you like her... you sure have more luck than I have” I sighed.
“What do you mean?” I looked at him.
“I have a crush on Rarity...” He started “But that is a one side feeling... she don't feel the same and I don't think that she will ever feel the way I do...”
“Hmm... I see... must be really bad.” I patted him on the shoulder.
“Yeah... and the worst part? Is that she is always fooling around with other ponies and even other fillies... but never with me.” He sighed.

I didn't know what to say to him right now... so I simply remained in silence and grabbed one more gem to eat. In fact, I was lucky. I loved Rainbow Dash and I knew that she loved me back... But to be with her like this was something... unthinkable at least! I was just a baby dragon now... Barely able to walk... completely helpless. I had no guts to face her like this... I was ashamed of what I was right now.
“Don't give up...” I said after a while in silence and punched his arm lightly. “...eventually she will notice you. Maybe not right now, since you are so young, but I know that Rarity will notice you in time.” I smiled at him, trying to show confidence.
Spike showed me a soft smile and the answered.
“Yeah... you are right!” he said with renew energy. “I just need to work harder to gain her attention! Thanks Eravel... you are not bad at all you know?” He said and grabbed one of the lasts gems in the sack.
“Not bad at all? What do you mean by that?” I asked arching an eyebrow.
“Well, to be honest with you, when you were still human I was... afraid of you...” He scratched the back of his head. “What you did with Rainbow Dash and then, when you fought that Hydra... it was really scary. But now we are like... what? Brothers maybe?” He said getting a little excited about the idea.
I thought for a few seconds before answer.
“Ye...Yeah... I guess we are...” I said not wanting to hurt his feelings.
“Awesome!” He said jumping out of the bench “Come, let’s keep walking, I think your legs need this little exercise”

I stood up on the ground and started to walk besides him. He was a really nice guy and it was no surprise that all the girls liked him so much. I always watched how they treated him like some kind of young brother or cousin and after a morning with him I was already feeling really attached to him.

We walked the whole morning, with no destination at all. I got so lost in our conversation that the curious looks of the ponies around didn't bother me anymore. It was kind of funny how clueless Spike was. He was not good in catching implicit meanings in some phrases. It was no wonder that Rarity didn't see him as a potential partner. He was just a kid, not only in body, but also, in mind too.
“Found you guys” I heard a familiar male voice coming from above. Me and Spike followed Steel Head with our eyes as he landed. He was wearing his usual armor with the exception of the helmet. “Twilight send me to look for you. She needs Spikes help at the library and you, young buy, need to get back home to take a nap.” He said looking at me with a smirk in his face.
“Do you like your eyes? Yes? Want to keep the in your head? So stop with the nonsense!” I said crossing my arms and the royal guard just laughed at me. Damn, he could be really annoying some times...
“Thank you Steel.” Spike said. “I'll go to the library; Twilight is probably expecting me there. And Eravel, Don't forget that tomorrow you have school to attend to!” Spike said an rand to the library.
“School?” Steel Head looked at me. I was still looking in the direction that Spike ran. That little traitor!
“We meet a crazy teacher on our walk... Cheerilee I think... She said that I needed to attend to school tomorrow morning.” I rolled my eyes. “As if that would really happen...”
“Oh but it will...” Steel head chuckled and lowered his body, offering it so I could climb on.
“What, are YOU going to make me go?” I said defiantly, mounting on his back.
“Not at all... But Spike will tell Twilight, and I bet 10 bits that she will come to our house first thing in the morning to drag you to school.” He said flapping his wing to fly... I grabbed on his exposed mane.
“I seriously doubt that. She knows that I'm not a kid... Is only this new body that is...” I said holding on him firmly.
“Yes... but I still bet 10 bits that she will stop by our house.” he insisted.
“Ok, you can bet all you want, but I don't have any money to pay you... not that I'll need to anyway.” I shrugged.
“Oh, I know a better way for you to pay me.” He said smirking. I arched an eyebrow, a little worried. “If she don't show up tomorrow, I'll pay you 10 bits... But if she SHOWS up tomorrow... You will go to school without complaining.”
“Heh... deal.” I said shrugging again. “You just lost 10 bits.”
“We will see...” He said still smirking. For a second I lost control of my wings and they both spread. The wind hit them and pushed me back. I grabbed harder on Steel's mane and pulled it to not fall.
“Argh! By Celestia! Close those wings!” He shouted at me.
“I'm trying!” I said desperately trying to close them.
Steel Head lost control over the flight and we started to spin, while falling. Right before we crashed I managed to close my wings and Steel Head lift in the air again, panting hard.

X-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

On a nearby cloud a cyan pegasus watched as a baby dragon flew in the back of a royal guard. She giggled softly when the dragon suddenly opened is wings, almost making the guard fall but both managed to recover.

Rainbow Dash had a talk with Rarity about Eravel and his behavior... Rarity told her about how he should be feeling and, as hard as it was, the rainbow maned mare agreed to not chase after him. She agreed to respect his will to be away from her for now and just hoped that soon he would let her get close again.
X-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

A/N: First of all, thanks for everyone that read "The fearless warrior" and now is reading the sequel. A very special thanks to SuperUnknown101 for offering himself to be my editor. He takes care of my grammar mistakes making the whole story better to be read ^^
As always write your opinion at the end of the story.
Good, bad, hater, lover... Anything is good for me! xD
The opinions of my readers are EXTREMELY important to me, since it helps me improve more and more.
So, I hope you guys enjoy this story as much as I did writing it
(and no, SuperUnknown101 didn't fix this A/N xD)