Author's Note

First special thanks to my editor for this chapter Codex92 .

So here is the next chapter, now a lot of you have been asking that I can't answer because I don't want to spoil anything for anyone.

Also thank you guys so much for all the love and support. It really means a lot to me.

The Cove

Chapter 3 edited by Codex92

Once again, I find myself waking up from unconsciousness. 'This can't be good for my health.' Looking up, I could see that a good portion of the day has already gone by, the once blue sky turning to a shade of orange. 'How long was I out for? It's nearly sunset.'

As took the time to take a look around, I noticed the change in my surroundings. Where I was once running through a forest, I now find myself in some kind of cove. At least that's what I think it's called. In the center is a large pond with a waterfall, all of which is in a deep crater of land. 'This place looks just like the cove from the first How to Train Your Dragon movies, except smaller with not a lot of ground.'

To make matters worse, the walls that make up this cove are incredibly high for me to climb out of. There is a tree along the wall that had a root growing down, which might be my chance of escape. Just as I was about to make my way over to it, I found myself tripping over my feet again, causing me to fall face first into the ground. 'Dammit! This shit again!? I was running away just fine earlier!!'

Pulling my face out of the dirt, I couldn't help but feel frustrated at my current predicament. ‘If I'm going to get out of this cove, I need to know how to move around in this body.' I looked around and found a perfect spot to practice. 'While getting stuck down here may have been bad luck, it could also prove to be a safe place for me to spend the night and practice.'

As I walked over to the spot, I can't help but notice how my wings keep dragging against the ground. 'Okay. On second thought, the first thing I need to do is figure out how to manage these damn wings. If I try to walk around with these the way they are, I'm just gonna trip even more.'

Getting into a sitting position, I use my arms to push out my wings so they were spread out. 'Okay. Now then, how to make these things work? I can feel them whenever they drag across the ground, so at least I know they work.' I had taken a few classes in zoology, so I was confident that I would figure it out, no sweat.

(Apple Family Farm)

Fluttershy returned to the farm to give the animals their night time feedings before the sun had completely set across the horizon. However, her mind was elsewhere while she worked. "That dragon was much smaller than the one me and the girls had to ask to leave the mountain a while back."

Fluttershy would constantly think about how the dragon fled from her. Ordinarily, she would want nothing to do with such a creature, except for Spike of course. As she continued to play the encounter in her mind over and over again, she realized that the dragon might have been scared. 'Spike is almost as big as a pony, but he's still a baby dragon. So what if that dragon isn't that much older?'

After she had finished feeding all the animals and putting them back into their pens, Fluttershy trotted back to her cottage. A small wave of guilt took over as she looked in the direction of the woods where she saw the dragon. Walking inside once she reached her home, the yellow mare walked up the stairs into her bedroom. Angel, her pet bunny, was curled up in his basket near the side of her bed, fast asleep. Slipping under the covers, Fluttershy looks out the window one last time as Luna's moon rises into the sky, signaling the end of another day. She tucked herself in, tossing and turning, trying to get comfortable. But with a sense of worry and a tinge of guilt, she had one thought on her mind. 'I wonder if it's okay.'

(Johann POV)

'.......I hate today.' For the past three hours, I've tried everything and anything to get my wings to work. All my efforts got me was moving them slightly in a way like I had arms on back. I could flex the tips and slightly raise them just enough so they don't drag on the ground. But I had no more control than that. On the plus side, now that I'm not tripping over my wings, I've managed to learn how to properly walk and run while in this form, which is going to be helpful in the future.

Turning my head upwards, my eyes widen as I stared into the heavens above, gazing at the majesty that were the stars and moon. Never before had I seen stars so clearly as I do now, as though I was looking through a telescope. The stars twinkled so beautifully in the night sky; it took my breath away and brought tears of joy to my eyes. The moon was a perfect crescent shape as it bathed the land in its beautiful light.

Up until now, I had only focused on nothing but the negatives of this day: the idea that I may never see my friends and family again, or that I was alone in an unfamiliar place trapped in the body that many would meet with fear. But when I gaze up at these stars, it's as if some kind of magic is chasing away those sad emotions, and giving me a sense of reassurance that things will get better. Where despair and fear once clutched my heart, were now being chased away by a sense of hope.

With my mind put at ease for the time being, I laid down in a patch of grass, taking the time to think of the positive rather than the negative. 'Well, I'm alive, that's a start. I now have the body of a dragon, so that's pretty cool right? And not just any dragon; a Night Fury! Maybe this isn't all bad. I'm sure that tomorrow will be the start of a better day.'

I moved over to the pond to take a few sips of water before bed. Thankfully, the water tasted fairly clean. When I returned to the patch of grass, a thought came to mind. 'You know, I've always seen cats and dogs do this before. Heck, even Toothless. I wonder if it actually works.' I slowly spun around in a circle, padding the ground beneath me before laying down. 'Wow, this somehow feels better.' Laying my head down onto my arms, I slowly closed my eyes and let my mind drift off to sleep.

(The next morning)

As the early morning sun peeked over the mountain, bringing with it a new day, the tentative animal lover made her rounds as she fed the farm animals their breakfast. Fluttershy had decided to wake up extra early this morning in order to both feed the animals and to prepare for what she had planned today.

In the dead of night, the pegasus couldn't sleep as her heart was plagued with fear. However it wasn’t about her; it was about the dragon. She was afraid that the dragon was hurt and alone in the forest, with no family or friends. Such an idea caused the mare to feel sympathy for it. So, she decided that in the morning, she would go into the woods, and try to find it to see if it's well.

"Alright, everyone, you just enjoy your breakfast, and I'll be back to check on you later ...I hope." Before she left the barn, Fluttershy considered the idea that perhaps the dragon would possibly be hungry. Maybe if she brought it something to eat, it won't make a meal out of her. After picking out a few apples and leaving the proper amount of bits in the barn for the Apple family, Fluttershy headed back to her cottage to prepare for her little expedition.

I find myself waking up inside the cove, only this time, it's a bit more pleasant. I could hear the sounds of the early morning birds chirping, the sound of the roaring waterfall-

GROOOOOWL

And the sound of my stomach demanding food. Sitting up to stretch while letting out a long yawn, I quickly noticed something strange. Opening and closing my mouth, I quickly realized that I had no teeth! 'What the hell happened to my teeth!? They were there when I went to be-' In a split second, I feel my teeth pushing out of my gums and locking in place. The sensation sent a shiver down my spine. Using my tongue to double check, I was relieved to feel that my teeth where back. 'Right. Night Fury, retractable teeth. Eh heh.'

With the sudden realization that I could retract my teeth, I started to wonder if I could do that on command? I started with relaxing my jaws first, quickly felt my teeth retract. When I clicked my jaws, they just as quickly popped back out. 'Oh. So that's how he does it. Cool.'

GROOOOOWL!!!!!

Once again, my stomach makes its presence known as it calls out to be fed. I hadn't eaten since the popcorn from the movies the night I died. Getting up, I started to look around the cove for anything edible. Fortunately, during my days as a kid when I was part of the scouts, I was taught a few survival skills, such a what wild plants are edible and which to avoid. Sadly, there doesn't seem to be any certain plants around for consumption. 'Oh whatever great deity that's out there, please, I'm in desperate need of food. I beg for any kind of help.'

I silently prayed, putting my front paws together with my eyes closed, hoping for a sign. I nearly gave up hope until the sound of splashing came from my left. Jumping out of the water before diving back in were some fish. 'Well ...hallelujah.'

With the light from the sun shining down in the cove, I could now see the deeper in water much more clearly. Swimming around near the top were a few fish; big fish at that. I looked around for a good spot for me to stand in the water. Thankfully, there was a big rock that I could stand on that was near the center of the pond. Hopping onto it while also making sure my tail stayed on the ground, I overlooked the fish as they swam around. 'Okay, how should I do this?' I tapped my chin with one my claws, thinking of a way to get them out of the water without falling in, since I wasn't confident that I would be able to swim without practice.

As I continued to tap my chin, I finally got an idea as I looked at my claws. They seemed long enough to dig into a fish. All I had to do was swipe a fish out of the water. I leaned over the water with one arm raised, poised for the strike. 'Alright. Time to put all those months playing fruit ninja to good use.'

For the next ten minutes, I watched as fish after fish swam near my rock, each time getting closer into my strike zone. With every inch that they get closer, my claws would twitch, until one fish breached the water surface. With as strong as a swing I could manage, my claws cut across the water’s edge as it smacks into the fish, sending it flying out of the water and onto shore. 'HELL YA!! FIRST TRY!!' I cheered in my head as I jump back onto the shore.

As I walked over to my prize, I noticed that the fish was still flopping around. Then, something came to mind that I hadn't accounted for. 'How am I gonna eat it?' I'd never once had to kill my food before; much like any city kid, I would eat store bought food that was already dead. But now, in front of me, is a still living animal. I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel guilty, but I knew what had to be done. 'Now the only problem is how do I actually eat it?'

The image of Toothless eating the fish raw and whole flashed in my mind, causing me to gag a bit. Then I quickly remembered something that I had glanced over. 'I'm a dragon, duh. I can breath fire. I mean, how hard could it be?' I wasn't sure on the dragon mechanics for breathing fire, but in the movies, all they do is take long, deep breaths. So, taking in as much air as possible, I filled my lungs till they couldn't take anymore and held it for a few seconds before letting out a roar of fire! At least, that's what I wished had happened. Instead, all that came out was hot air, which was a start, but not enough to cook my meal.

The fish continued to flop around, gasping for air. I felt so much guilt that I decided to put it out of its misery. Lowering my head down, I took the fish into my mouth head first, ready to bite down and end it all when….

CHOMP!!!!!

"Raaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!!!!" I roared as the fish bit down on the tip of my tongue, causing me immense pain!! I flailed around, shaking my head side to side to try to get the fish off my tongue. The little bastard held on like it was in a rodeo until it finally let go and fell back into the water. 'I HATE FISH!!!!!!'

I scraped my tongue against my hand, trying to soothe the pain from being bitten back by my breakfast. With fish being off the menu for a while, I knew that I needed to get out of this cove and find an alternative food source. Stretching out my wings again, I was determined to try and fly out of here.

(Fluttershy's cottage 3rd POV)

Fluttershy packed her saddlebags with the apples she bought from the farm, and plenty of gemstones in case the dragon was really hungry. With a few more items, such as a compass to help guide her, she was now set and ready. Making sure to lock her house, the brave mare set forth to the Whitetail Woods. "Celestia give me strength."

Within ten minutes, Fluttershy had reached the spot on the path where she last saw the dragon. After recalling which direction she saw the dragon run, she trotted her way through the trees and bushes, looking for any clues that would get her on its trail.

While walking around, checking for any broken branches that would mark something had rushed through, Fluttershy stepped on something smooth and cold. Lifting her hoof up, she saw what looked like a round black dot. Carefully leaning down and using her wing tips to pick up the little black dot, Fluttershy brought it closer for inspection. After turning it over in her wing tips, she concluded that it was indeed a dragon scale, which meant she was on the right trail.

Keeping her head low to the ground, she continued to walk, keeping a keen eye out for anymore scales. Eventually, she managed to find a small trail of them, all of which were leading in the direction of the cove where she fishes.

"ROOAAAHHHHHH!!!" A high pitched roar, followed by a loud thudding sound, caused the yellow pegasus to duck down with her wings hiding her head. For a few moments, the sound of continued with the same pattern, a roar that was followed by a heavy thud. Mustering up what courage she had, Fluttershy kept low to the ground and crawled her way forward until she saw the edge of the cove ahead.

As she peered over the edge, she instantly saw the dragon down below. It had started to charge forward in the direction of one of the cliff walls that made up the cove. Once it was close enough, it spread out its wings, flapping them irregularly as it jumped onto the wall. It let out a roar of anger and it tried to cling to the wall with its claws before slamming back on the ground with a thud.

For the next few minutes, Fluttershy watched as the dragon continued with this routine, but with every attempt, she noticed it would come up shorter than the last time. Within fifteen minutes, it collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily while clutching its stomach. At this, Fluttershy couldn't help but feel pity for the dragon as it made attempt after attempt to escape.

The dragon slowly rose up, hobbling it's way over to the pond. She watched it hop onto a rock that was closer to the pound's center. It hovered its head over the water’s surface, jaws wide open as its eyes darted around. In one swift movement, it dunked its head into the water, splashing around before pulling back up. Instead of a fish in its jaws, the dragon pulled out with a piece of bark instead. Realizing that what it had in its mouth was not food, the dragon angrily spat out the bark.

'The poor thing is hungry.' Fluttershy deduced as she watched the dragon walk over to a corner of the cove with its head hung low. Stopping at a patch of grass, the dragon let its body drop down to lay down. It twisted and turned before finally settling down to relax. Once its eyes had closed, Fluttershy waited a good amount of time to allow it to fall into a deeper sleep.

She was sure that ten minutes had passed, watching the dragon's chest rise and fall as it slept. With the dragon now asleep, Fluttershy quietly walked towards the edge of the cove and spread her wings out. Leaning forward she leapt off the edge, silently gliding down to the ground below. As she neared the ground, she gave a quick flap, immediately slowing down her decent until her hooves touched the ground. Carefully, and quietly, she removed her saddle bags and placed them on the ground.

She glanced at the dragon to see if it had stirred. Thankfully, it was still fast asleep, the only movement being its legs that would occasionally twitch. Watching her step, the timid mare slowly sneaked her way closer, making sure to keep an eye on the dragon as she approached. Because there isn't much information about dragons, even after Twilight went to the Dragonlands, there was no way for Fluttershy to know what conditions the dragon was in. Was it in good health? Was it full grown? All these questions, she didn't know. Her best course of action was to try and make theoretical deductions based on what she knew about birds and lizards.

Soon, she was only a few inches away from the scalie creature. She carefully circled around to see if its wings had taken any damage from all those falls from earlier. 'Hmm. Nothing seems broken or bent awkwardly.' Next, she raises a hoof to ever so gently touch it skin. 'Oh my. So warm, but thankfully not too dry.'

With its wings and body checked out, all that was left was the head. Steeling her nerves, she tiphoofed her way to the front of the dragon’s head. She couldn't help but notice how peaceful it looked in it's sleep. 'Kinda cute now that it's not showing its teeth.'

Craning her neck over the dragon's head, she looked for any indication that it had suffered any kind of head trauma. As she tried to get a better look, Fluttershy soon started to lose her balance, and before she could use her wings to keep her from falling over, the damage had already been done. Landing with a thud, Fluttershy slowly lifted her head up to look back at the dragon. Much to her horror, its eyes were now wide open, its gaze fixated on her.