Flurry Heart stopped to take a breather. She had been hiking for some time now. The hills and mountains surrounding the Crystal Empire were vast. It was late in the morning and she had started at the crack of dawn. Flurry hoped her jeans and sweatshirt would hold out against the icy winds. Her body temperature should be alright though as she had cast an anti-freezing spell on herself before leaving. It was helping to stave off the cold and allowed her to travel light.

She took out her small backpack and re-examined her things. A bottle of water, some protein bars, a pickax, and some rope. She also had a broad sword and shield strapped to her back just between her wings. They were a bit uncomfortable but needed for the job ahead. Flurry looked out, the castle shining in the distance.

An argument she had last night began to play throughout her mind:

"But mom, I can take care of this! I'm ready. I am practically an adult."

Flurry Heart was standing in the throne room, her mom looking down at her from her throne. Her regal pink dress practically clashed with the T-shirt and Jeans wearing white and purple pony. "You may be an adult but you lack the maturity and experience to take something like this on by yourself."

Flurry Heart took a step forward, "But I won't get that experience unless I go out there and prove myself!"

Cadence took a deep breath and let it out slowly, "Listen Flurry, this isn't just some small time dragon causing trouble. This is an adult dragon. As in, well over a hundred years old. As in a large red mountain dragon. AS IN, very dangerous Dragon. Dragons mature differently than normal ponies so this one will have both the knowledge and power to crush you easy. But may lack any empathy as a much older Dragon. It may not deem to give you any mercy."

"But, I'm a full blooded alicorn! Surely my magic and body can take something down like that. I am stronger than most ponies here!"

"You may be strong Flurry, but Dragon Lord Ember has already informed me that this dragon was kicked out of its native land for a reason. She is on her way here to over see it be dealt with it."

"Then give me a head start, I can show Ember that there is nothing to worry about."

"Flurry Heart! Please understand..."

Flurry Heart took another step forward, her wings opening up as she felt a bit of rage ride up. "You can't keep me locked up here forever. I can't become an awesome pony like you by sitting around here all the time!"

Cadence's voice was soft but there was a hint of annoyance and worry. "I just want to keep you safe. Flurry, please understand that this is because I care about you but you are forbidden to leave this castle till Ember-."

"-But I..."

Cadence stood up, her authority now pulsating around her like a strong aura. Her voice now becoming a bit louder. "That is final Flurry. We will not discuss this more."

Flurry glared daggeres, "You can't do this to me, I will show you what I can do. I am stronger than you think I am!"

Cadence seemed taken aback for a second before returning to her immovable stance. "Flurry Heart..."

Flurry stamped her hoof hard against the ground, her hands clenching hard enough to almost draw blood. "Fine!"

With that, she turned and ran out, slamming the large heavy double doors behind her.

***

Flurry shook her head, the memory was like mental wall. It was telling her to turn around but she refused it. She would press on. Likely, most ponies will soon be realizing she was gone and go looking for her. With a sword and shield missing from one of the suits lining the halls, it wouldn't take long for her mother to realize where she had gone. Best to put as much distance between her and the Crystal Empire.

She didn't have far to go anyways. The dragon had been burning down anything along the outskirts of the city. Its trail of gold and bits of stolen crystals was like bread crumbs leading back to its large cave.

The cave in question was dark and seemed to shrink a bit as it went along. More than likely it would grow in size farther in as the Dragon would have had trouble otherwise. As Flurry stood in front of it, she noticed a warm breeze coming out of it. If Flurry had to guess, the Dragon was naturally heating up the cave with its breath and keeping it warm somehow though the abilities of a Dragon. Though her knowledge of Dragons were only from what Spike had told her during his visits, she felt confident enough to take it on with what she knew.

Spike had been her only real friend these past several years now and she wasn't gonna lie, she wished he could be here now to give her some advice. But then again, she wouldn't be able to completely prove herself if he was here.

Flurry Heart went over what she knew in her head thanks to Spike: fire breathing, incredible strength, not affected by intense heat, strong scales and almost complete night vision. These are the strengths of a Dragon from what she knew.

Weaknesses: Soft under belly, little eye protection and not all dragons are fully intelligent. Some even lack basic speech.

Flurry Heart shifted her bag, swallowed any fear she may have had and started walking in. The cave closed up around her and soon darkness enveloped her. Flurry lit up her horn and used the wall to help guide her way. The cave seemed to go on and on. At least a good few kilometers deep. Though it was hard to tell walking in almost complete darkness. It could have been much shorter but with hardly any land marks it was anypony's guess.

She eventually came to a fork in the road. A few crystals scattered around one side made it clear which way to go but the sound of running water in the other direction did cause Flurry Heart to pause. Perhaps on the way back, stopping by the water source to rest wouldn't be a bad idea. She nodded to herself and continued on.

After walking for a good long while, Flurry Heart's eyes began to adjust as light began to filter in. Turning off her horn, she stepped out into a big antechamber. There she could see a large red dragon, sleeping on its side, on a pile of gold and crystals. His breath shot out small bits of fire every exhale. Blue glowing crystals lit up his body and the chamber surrounding him.

The Dragon was massive. It could easily swallow her whole. If she wasn't careful, this thing could do some real damage.

Flurry set her bag down, took out the sword and shield, and readied herself. Since it was asleep this should easy. All she had to do was sneak up, get close to its belly and deliver a powerful thrust. Follow up with some shots from her horn into its open wound and that should take it down. Dragons may be strong but opening this one up should make it an easy take down.

Flurry did her best to silently approach it. She used her wings to hover over. The dragon shifted in its sleep, moving from sleeping on its side to its back. Flurry held her breath, hoping it wouldn't decide to wake up.

When it didn't, she quickly flew over and landed right in the middle of its large belly. She grinned and raised her sword. "Just wait till she hears about this. I'm gonna bring back some scales and shove them right in her pink face!"

Flurry Heart brought down the sword with all her might. Her sword was a blur as she smashed it downwards with enough force to blow air upwards and around her. The sword made contact and with a loud whoosh...

The sword broke... *Crack!*

Time seemed to slow as Flurry realized just how loud that was. It echoed throughout the cave.

Flurry glanced down at her broken blade. Then up at the dragon who was now awake and staring right at her. "Oh... Shooot."

Flurry felt the wind get knocked out her her as the Dragon brought up its claw and swatted her off of him. She crashed against the ground and skidded to a stop after sliding a good several hooves.

"Oof... This may have been a bad idea. That sword did look a bit old."

Flurry looked up and saw the dragon preparing to fire at her with its Dragon... Well... Fire!

Flurry raised her shield in defense was watched as fire erupted from its mouth. Thankfully, her alicorn body had little trouble taking the heat. Unfortunately, the shield not so much, soon broke and fell apart. "Guess that was a bit old too." Flurry mumbled as she rolled away from the fire blast.

Flurry was quick to get on her hooves, only to have her knocked off again as the Dragon back clawed her, sending her into the wall.

Boom!

Flurry winced as rocks and dirt fell around her. Her body was strong but not used to taking this kind of punishment. She glanced down, suddenly realizing there was a draft now in places there shouldn't have been.

Her jeans had been burned and were now full of holes. Just barely holding onto her. The sweater she was wearing had a huge hole around her right breast and shoulder leaving her slightly exposed. Thankfully no one was around to see her. Not only was she about to get her ass kicked by a dragon, but she was going to be almost naked to add insult to injury.

Flurry Heart staggered, trying to get away from the dragon. Only to be grabbed and thrown across the cave. BaBoom

Again, rocks and dirt rained down as Flurry left a small imprint in the wall. Her jeans came undone in the impact leaving just her broken sweater and a thong. An impromptu thing she had decided upon before leaving. Wanting to feel sexy while taking down a dragon... Hindsight is 20/20.

Flurry Heart shook the stars out of her eyes, the Dragon was clearly just playing with her at this point. It could probably kill her if it really wanted to. Sure, it wouldn't be easy but eating her or body slamming her would probably do the trick.

Flurry Heart shook her head and started running towards the Dragon. She slid to dodge another swipe before jumping up and flying upwards as hard as she could. She got right up the Dragons neck, prepared her fist with a strength spell, then swung with everything she had.

Again, air blew around her as a dull thump echoed throughout the chamber. Flurry Heart felt a smile creep across her face. "Hah. What do you think about that Dragon!"

The Dragon seemed to regard the punch as no more than a small flick of the fingers. He simply gave the area a small rub before batting her out of the air.

Flurry Heart was sent flying across the chamber and landed in a heap against the wall again. This time she hit one of the glowing crystals, cracking it on impact. She was getting nowhere fast, only managing to wreck herself more. Flurry staggered to her hooves. "Is... Is that all you got?"

As if to answer, the Dragon slammed is claw down, crushing her underneath its palm. It then quickly lifted it up and examined its handy work.

"Ow..."

Flurry Heart lay in a crater, her legs and arms feeling more sore than she ever had before. Pretty sure her sweatshirt was barely clinging to life at this point. "Great... Could this day get any worst?"

She felt the Dragon pick her up by her hood of her sweatshirt. She was amazed it was even still attached. Pinching it between two of its claws. It lifted her up so it could get a better look at her. With her now well within eyesight, the Dragon took the time to examine her.

Flurry felt its eyes track her body. "H-hey... L-like what ya see?"

Flurry Heart hung there, feeling defeated. Her wings and mane were disheveled. Covered in dirt with hardly much clothing holding onto her body at this point. Everything felt sore and her eyes were starting to feel heavy. The Dragon let out a weird sound which Flurry could only guess was laughter.

This was it, she was going to be humiliated by a Dragon. A toy to toss around until it either grew tired or her body eventually gave out. Flurry stared up at the Dragon, trying to return some determination to her eyes. The dragon seemed amused and was just about to give her another toss when it suddenly froze.

Flurry blinked, unsure of what was going on. The Dragon twitched as voice rang out behind her, "Put her down!"

The Dragon obeyed and Flurry Heart dropped like a rock, crashing onto the ground below. Flurry let out a small groan.

"Ohhh."

"I meant carefully you stupid Dragon!"

Flurry Heart rolled over, her eyes struggling to focus but she could just make out a blue, kind of thin, small Dragon standing nearby. She seemed to dressed in a black open kimono top that just barely covered her breasts and a large black loin cloth that covered both the front and back down to her knees. In her right claw she held a scepter with a large red ruby in it. It seemed to be glowing.

"Leave this place and never return. You were warned what would happen after we kicked you out of the dragon lands. Don't let me catch you causing trouble again or we will be forcing you into the Everfree and we both know you won't last long there!"

The Dragon seemed to flinch in terror. Moving as far back against the cave as it could.

"You have your orders and as Dragon Lord, YOU WILL FOLLOW THEM. NOW GO!"

The Dragon seemed to hesitate but another flash from the scepter and it took off like a train going full speed. It exited the antechamber in a flash, the sound of rumbling getting softer over time as it disappeared down the cave.

Flurry let out a sigh of relief. She soon felt a claw tap her shoulder, "Can you walk?"

Flurry's vision swam but she nodded. She soon felt a hand help lift her up and a shoulder to lean on. "I know this cave well. I am going to take you to a safe place to get your strength back. Do you understand?"

Flurry nodded again. She felt her head go light as her body suddenly felt heavy. "Hey are you sure you're alright?"

Flurry Heart gave the most honest answer she had ever given. "Nope."

Blackness soon took her mind as she felt another claw catch her from falling. Her last thought was about how stupid this whole trip was.

Author's Note

This was fun and sort of different than what I usually post here. Sure we have some fun sexy stuff coming up, but it was fun to write something more action-y this time around.

(Proof reader has disappeared so let me know if I missed any errors.)