Snug asked, “Hey, do ponies play Gem duel?”

Zipp had just finished taking another sip from her smoothie before asking, “What's Gem duel?”

He smiled as he reached into his bag only to pull out six round gems. Each one had a different color, one was red, another was green, the third was orange, the fourth one blue, there was a pink one, and a purple one. They watched as he set them down; he looked up and smiled before he grabbed the red one. He then said, “Watch this.” He moved the other gems back and placed the red one down. He then said, “Ruby Samurai, defend your honor.”

The gem suddenly broke apart; now stood a small dragon figure that wore a large hat and held a large sword. To say the others were amazed was an understatement. Pipp already had her phone out again and was live streaming the whole thing.

Snug looked at Zipp and asked, “Zipp, can you pick up the green one please.”

She nodded and picked it up. She looked at him as she held it in her hoof. He then motioned for her to place it down. When she did she heard him say, “Now, to make it stand you have to say. Prehnite spartan. Fight with might.” She nodded and said, “Prehnite spartan. Fight with might.”

Like the other gem it broke apart and another dragon figure stood. This one was equipped a rather large shield that covered almost all of its front. While in it's other claw it held a large spear. Both Gems locked onto each other and readied themselves for combat.

Snug spoke, “Now, the battle starts.” Both dragons then ran at each other. Their weapons striking the others armor. Before the pushed themselves back. The spartan one began to glow.

Hitch asked as he pointed a hoof at it, “Why is that one glowing?”

Snug answered, “That means that Zipp goes first.” He explained, “What we just saw was the turn battle. Both warriors fight and the one that does the most damage is the one that moves first.” He looked at Zipp before hand her the pink gem, “Here use this.”

She asked him, “What do I have to say to make this one stand?”

He answered, “You just need to say Kunzite piper heal our wounds.”

Zipp nodded before saying the words, “Kunzite piper heal our wounds.” The gem turned into a small dragoness; in it's claws it held a small pipe. When it blew into the pipe a gentle melody played. A pink glow came from the piper; which was mirrored by the spartan. She asked, “What is it doing?”

Snug replied, “It's healing the damage done by my Samurai.” He grinned as he placed the orange gem behind his samurai. Before saying, “Carnelian Ninja. Be swift as the wind!” The gem turned into a dragon that looked like it wore only rags; that blew in a magical wind. In a bright flash it disappeared. Only to reappear behind the piper. The spartan tried to defend but it was too slow. The piper took heavy damage reverting back into it's gem form.

Zipp asked, “Whoa, what was that?!” The ninja disappeared and reappeared beside the samurai.

Snug answered, “The Ninja's special power.” He explained, “Dark swift attack. It allows me to attack any of your gems and instantly knock them out. But, it does cost me a turn. So you can take another turn.”

Zipp nodded before looking at the spartan. Before taking her turn she asked, “Does this spartan have a special power?”

He nodded, “Yes, it's called the hoplite charge. But-”

She yelled before he could finish, “Hoplite charge!” It then brought up it's shield and readied a spear. Before it charged the samurai.

Snug commanded, “Final dance.”

The samurai rested on it's knees; it's hand gripping it's sword. The spartan continued to charge at it; it's speed increasing. Just as the spartan stood directly in front of it; It sprang up and delivered a hard slash. Both gems stood completely still; only to have the spartan fall forward and revert back to it's gem form. The samurai hilted it's sword and bowed in respect; before it and the ninja turned back into their gems.

Zipp asked in slight shock, “What just happened?”

Snug answered, “I was trying to tell you. Hoplite charge is a good attack but, it's got a very big drawback. You gain an increase in both strength and speed. The drawback you loose a good amount of your defense,” He then pointed to the ruby samurai, “I used my samurais special power final dance. It increases both attack and precision. Very powerful against attacks that drain defense. But, the draw back I can't attack for three turns.” He smiled sheepishly.

Sunny then commented, “This looks like a fun game.” The others agreed with her before she asked, “Mind if I play a round with you?”

Snug smiled happily and nodded; for the next hour the group played the game. Snug showed each of them the basics before they started playing a full fledged match. In the end the winner was Izzy; which surprised them all. After sharing another good laugh Snug collected the gems and placed them back in the bag.

He then said, “Well, that was fun. But, I'm afraid I need to be on my way.”

Sunny asked him, “Where are you going after this?”

He answered, “Like I told Izzy; I'm trying to see all of Equestria,” He then explained, “But, really, I'm on a journey to the old land.”

Pipp asked, “The old land?”

He nodded, “Yes,” He then pulled out a pocket watch and checked the time, “And, I'm afraid I need to mosey along now.” He smiled before saying, “A pleasure to meet you all. Hope we meet again next time.”

He then jumped down from the chair and continued on; but, not before taking one large group photo. He looked at the image taken and shared it with Pipp who shared it with the others and all her followers. He waved goodbye to them before he started making his way to the other side of town.

The group continued to sit in silence at the table; none of them could believe that they had just met a dragon. A baby dragon that was very sweet. A big difference from all the stories that they had been told about them. As they sat in silence Izzy asked.

“Do you think we should see him off?”

None of them had any objections. They payed for their drinks and started walking after him. When they reached to other side of town; in the distance they could see smoke. They looked at each other in worry; before they started to run towards the smoke. As they got close they heard a voice yell.

“This will be easier if you just come back with us kid!”

Hitch asked, “Who was that?”

When the group reached the area; the smoke had just cleared. What they saw was something that filled them with slight anger. Three teenage dragons had Snug cornered against a dirt wall. He had his claws balled into fists and he appeared to be covered in a little soot.

They heard Snug reply, “I'm sorry. But, I have to see this through,” He took a defensive stance, “Nothing is gonna stop me from going! Especially now that I have five reasons.”

One of them a dragoness spoke, “I'm afraid this isn't an option Bug. You're coming with us weather you like it or not.” They began to walk closer to him.

Sunny then yelled, “Hey, leave him alone!”

The group suddenly jumped in between him and the dragons. The three dragons seemed to be surprised by the sudden appearance of the five ponies. Just as Snug asked, “What are y'all doing here?”

Hitch answered, “We wanted to see you off.” He focused his attention on the dragons, “But, it looks like you could use some back up.”

Snug smiled before he nodded and said, “I appreciate it.” He then stood next to them and spoke, “I'm sorry. But, like I said I'm not stopping.”

One of the other dragons a male replied, “Then you leave us no choice Bug.”

The three started to take in a deep breath of air. Snug knew what they were about to do and yelled, “Cover your mouths!”

The ponies did as they were told before he threw something at the dragons. A loud cracking sound was heard; followed by a large cloud of smoke. He quickly got their attention and motioned for them to run for the woods. They could hear the dragons coughing in the smoke as they ran out of the cloud. As they reached the edge of the woods they heard a loud roar. Snug looked back he noticed the others came to a stop.

He said, “Go, Go, I'll catch up!”

They nodded and ran for the cover of the tees; Snug looked back a Maretime bay and pulled out his camera and snapped a quick picture. He took off running after the others; as he ran he could hear the sound of beating wings above him. They were after him and they were closing in. He ran as fast as his little legs could carry him; knowing there was no way he could out run them. All of sudden he was grabbed an pulled to the side. His mouth muzzled by a firm hoof pressed against it.

Izzy shushed him, “Shh!”

He calmed down immediately as he noticed it was all of them. They were hiding in a downed hollow tree. The three dragons landed on top of the tree; each of them sniffing the area. One of them landed just in front of the opening. Causing all of them to hold their breath.

One of the dragons asked, “Smell anything?”

The dragoness answered, “All I'm smelling is that sweet smoke!” She growled before she stomped her foot, “Dang! We had him!”

One of the other dragons replied, “I know.” He sighed heavily, “Come on. We gotta wash the sweet smoke off. That way we can get our sense of smell back.”

They nodded before taking off and flying for the ocean. Just as the sound of their flapping wings faded out; the group breathed a collective sigh of relief. When they came out of hiding Snug asked them, “Are you all okay?” they nodded before asking another question, “I know I asked this before. But, what are you all doing here?”

Sunny answered, “Again, we wanted to see you off.” She then asked, “Who were those dragons?”

Snug hesitated a moment before answering, “They're,” He paused a moment before continuing, “They're just a group of bullies who've been dogging me since the start.” He brushed it off before saying, “I'm glad I got to see all of you again. Safe trip back to town.”

He began to walk away from them only to have them stop him. Before he could ask Zipp said, “There is no way we are letting you go alone.” The others nodded with her statement. This left Snug to ponder on the statement.

After a little bit he said, “Like I said I'm on a very long trip. Normally, this trip is taken alone. But,” He paused a moment.

Pipp asked, “But?”

He continued, “Well, the first dragon to take this journey; she didn't take it alone. She had her friends with her.” He looked at them and then asked, “I know I just met all of you and it's clear those bullies are gonna keep following me. But, will all of you join me on my journey?”

All of them nodded and answered, “Yes!”

He smiled before he said, “Okay, Before we continue I need all of you to take the oath of guards.” The nodded as he reached into his bag and pulled out a scroll; he unrolled it and spoke the words, “Do you, Sunny Starscout. Hitch Trailblazer. Izzy Moonbow. Pipp Petals and Zipp Storm. Swear on you honor to defend the traveler?” He paused as they each nodded, “Do all of you swear to Journey with the traveler; until we reach the end? Overcoming any obstacle and trial that we may face?” They nodded again and he finished, “Then, by the spirits of the ancestors. May our journey be protected, our foes strong, and our strength ever growing and unyielding.” He smiled as he put away the scroll. Only to pull out six matching scarfs.

Pipp asked, “What are those?”

Snug answered, “A way to show to others that we may meet; that we are a band.”

He began to tie a scarf around each of their necks; he finished with his. They all smiled as they looked at one another; each of them excited to take their first step as a band together. With a smile Snug shouted, “Come on!” He took off running ahead of them, “We've got a whole days walk ahead of us; until we reach the first rest zone.”

They looked at one another and took off running after him; All of them laughing as they made their way through the woods.

“We took the vows and our first steps on that day. Little did we know of the price that we must pay.”

Author's Note

Chapter 2 and I already have two people or three who have faved my story. I am so excited Thanks to all three of you.