Flurry Heart let out a small coo as she relaxed in the warm spring water. A towel was wrapped around her breasts down to her waist while another wrapped around her mane. She gave a quick stretch of her wings, glad to have them back. Ember, sitting next to her wearing a towel around just her waist, had her arms casually resting behind her head, eyes closed. "You know Flurry Heart, this is last night before we get back to your training. Are you sure this is how you want to spend it?"

Flurry nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! This is the closest I have felt to hanging out at the spa in ages." Flurry sank lower into the water. "I haven't felt more relaxed and ready to take on anything in such a long time." Flurry re-positioned her towel a bit. "You even went along with the towels. If I close my eyes, I can almost imagine myself with Aunty Twilight; hanging out at the Ponyville Spa while visiting her."

Ember gave a small chuckle. "Well, I did say I would go along with anything. Even I have to admit you probably needed all this with how I found you a few days ago. Passed out and so exhausted you spent most of your first day off just sleeping."

Flurry looked away for a second. "Uh yeah... I barely even remember the walk back."

Ember noticed Flurry seemed to be hiding something but decided to let it go for now. "So..." Ember scooted closer. "I've got some plans for tomorrows training. You've come a long way in the several weeks we've been out here. So I was thinking..."

Just then, a breeze blew past. Flurry shivered and sunk deeper into the spring, her head just inches about the water. Ember glanced in the direction in came from. Her eye's locked briefly with a pair of green eyes. She blinked and the green eyes were gone. Ember scanned the cave, seeing no sign of any creature. No more than a few seconds later passed before Ember felt a cough force its way out as green flames danced from her mouth. A bound rolled up letter formed and dropped right in front of her. Ember had to scramble to catch it before it hit the water.

Flurry glanced over, unsure of what she just witnessed. Ember carefully unrolled and read the note. She then looked over at Flurry who was giving her an odd look. "Its a system Cadence had me become a part of for emergencies."

Ember handed the note over to Flurry who caught it with her magic, not wanting her wet hands to ruin the paper. "So was that some sort of spell just now?"

"Yeah, apparently its a delivery system that Spike had been a part of now for several years. Celestia used to send him letters this way. It was a way to send and return messages instantly. Dragon fire messaging is supposedly the most secure way to send information across. Less of a chance of it getting intercepted unlike magical transport or by hand delivery."

Flurry nodded, made enough sense. She scanned the letter addressed to Ember.

"Ember, I hope your training is coming along well. Both Shining and I have been doing our best to keep busy. Not having Flurry around has been strange to say the least. Knowing she is out there becoming a better warrior does fill me with pride though.

As much as I want her to continue to train until you are sure she is ready, outside factors have deemed it necessary to test her sooner than I am sure your or I would like. Not by my choice but by another threat to our Crystal Empire. Another Dragon has been spotted. Or to be more precise, has flown directly over out city. Thankfully it was night time when it happened so less immediate panic. But it does have everyone on lock down and on edge. Our royal bank has found that several large gems have gone missing. A large hole in the roof far more than apparent of what might of happened to them.

Our scouts have found its cave but were ill equipped to do more. I am leaving the description of the cave on the back of this letter. I hope Flurry is ready but I feel confident that she will be under your care. Good luck to you and make sure to tell Flurry how we are all rooting for her back home."

With Love,
Princess Mi Amore "Cadence" Cadenza

Flurry set down the letter of the the side and took a deep breath. Then immediately started hyperventilating. "Ok, ok, not ok, this is not ok, this crazy. We are going to be fighting a dragon tomorrow aren't we?! I am not ready! I am going to get my butt handed to me on silver platter! This is bad... WhatismymomthinkingIcan'tdothis!"

Ember put her claw on Flurry's shoulder. "Flurry, calm down. Just take a deep breath and stand up for me will you?"

"I-I-I... Ok..." Flurry took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Ember held out her claw and Flurry took it. Both stood and Ember led Flurry out of the spring and over near the fire the had built. Flurry took of the towel around her head and shook her mane a bit. Her mane had grown quite a bit over the several weeks they had been out there. It used to be short and slightly curly. Now longer with more noticeable curls at the end. It was just long enough to almost reach her breasts.

Ember gestured to Flurry's body, "You have been doing my training well and have yet to back down despite all that I have asked of you. Now look at yourself. Really look at yourself."

Flurry glanced down and now that she thought about it, she did seem different. She had a more toned body. Slightly slimmer but still toned. She had a more athletic physic. Her breast were more firmer and her wings felt somehow lighter.

Ember grinned and attempted to hit Flurry with a surprise high kick. Flurry blocked it without even really realizing she had done so for a few seconds. Flurry's eyes went wide. "How?"

"You are now faster, stronger and have the instinct of a warrior. I am sure you will find that your magic, which is effected just like your body, will be slightly stronger too. Magic is conjured through the body and a strong body and mind will allow for slightly stronger magic. Or at least, that's what Twilight would tell me from time to time. Usually, there would be somepony else involved whenever she would drop that on me... But I think it still stands."

Flurry looked over herself, now that she was thinking more about it, she did feel stronger in a way. Ember suddenly jumped and swung a high kick at Flurry. The young alicorn raised her right hand and caught it, causing Ember to have to catch herself with her wings. Flurry let go and Ember righted herself. She gave nod. She then threw a punch that Flurry easily dodged and even managed to get a jab at Ember. Ember managed to twist her body and dodge but it was a close shave. She held out a hand and smiled. Flurry was about to come at Ember again but stopped and dropped her arms.

Ember suddenly got up very close. Flurry locked eyes with Ember and she felt there towels fall to the ground as Ember pushed her body up against hers. Both their breasts squishing against each other. Ember leaned forward and locked her lips with Flurry.

Flurry for her part, could only go a long with it as her brain sputtered trying to keep up. The kiss did not last long though as Ember soon broke it, leaving Flurry dumbfounded with a bit of saliva leaking down her mouth. "Uhhh..."

Ember smiled, "That was for a job well done. And to show how proud I am of you."

Ember then jumped to the side turned and spanked Flurry's ass hard enough to make a small echo. Flurry felt her cheeks go bright red. "Yow!"

"And that," Ember leaned forward and whispered into Flurry's ear, "Is to remind you that you still have much to learn."

Flurry could only slowly nod as Ember grinned before turning and heading over towards the fire they had built. "Better hit the hay soon Flurry, we head for that dragon at dawn." She called over her shoulder.

Flurry, finally managing to jump-start her brain again, grabbed her towels and turned to follow her. She silently watched as Ember crept up into her sleeping bag. She was sure that Ember was purposefully giving her an eye full of what lied beneath her lovely tail. But soon it was quickly covered as Ember cosied up under the blanket portion of the sleeping bag. Flurry rolled her eyes, made sure she was dry enough before slipping into her own sleeping bag. Now with just the sound of the crackling fire and the distant sound of the wind howling outside, Flurry could feel her mind drifting. She was nervous for tomorrow.

After everything she and Ember had been through, this was going to be the most intense. But Ember seemed confident that she was ready. It also dawned on her that her nights with Ember may be coming to an end soon. After spending so much time with her, Flurry could not imagine spending a night without her. If this was going to be one of her last nights with Ember, Flurry decided she was going to make the best of it.

Ignoring every part of her brain telling her not to, Flurry slowly left her sleeping bag and crawled over to Ember. She held her wings tightly against her back as she slowly lifted the blanket part and slid in next to Ember. Flurry held her breath, waiting for Ember to kick her out, instead, she felt a claw draw her in closer.

"Got to say Flurry, figured it would be me doing this first. I am not one for cuddling but..."

Flurry turned and put her arm over Embers stomach. She put her head on Ember's shoulder. "I have a feeling that one way or another, this will be out last few nights together. I just want to make sure they are memorable. I just can't imagine spending my time without you at this point."

"Nothing last forever Flurry. That's the first thing you learn about being a Dragon." Ember put a claw on Flurry's lower back.
"Once we are done with this Dragon, the princess will want a full report and we are going to be going our separate ways afterwards. I can't leave Spike to take care of the Dragon Kingdom forever."

Flurry winced, "I know that. But... I just don't think I can go back to the way things were after all this."

Ember chuckled, "Trust me, they won't. You are going to be part of the next generation of heroes. Just you wait. And when that adventure sends you my way, I look forward to seeing you."

"I am going to come visit often too. I am not going to wait for Equestria's next end of the world scenario to lead me to seeing you again."

"Flurry, have you seen where we live?! That's going to happen more often then you think... But I get what you are saying. And I can't wait to show you around my homeland."

Flurry smiled, "Then that will be my next adventure."

Ember snaked her hand down and gave Flurry's ass a quick squeeze. This causing Flurry to let out a small, "Meep."

"Hey, don't forget, we still have an unruly dragon to deal with. This current adventure isn't over just yet. So make sure you keep your head out of the clouds tomorrow alright?"

Flurry felt her mind going blank as her consciousness began to drift. "Yeah... I pro... I promise." Flurry gave a small yawn.

Ember felt Flurry go limp slightly as her breathing became low and shallow. Ember gave a warm smile as her thoughts turned towards the future. Her own mind slowly drifting off into the night.

Author's Note

This chapter has been sitting at 90% done for awhile now. Been working on another story but decided to at least finish this chapter finally before going back to it. Hope you enjoyed and let me know what you think in the comments.