Pain. Pain was the only thing the young man felt. The last thing he recalled was a truck speeding at him. Now he was in a lot of pain like every bone of his body was broken and reforming itself. It even felt like something was pushing out of his back and head... what... out of his... oh no.

Letting out a yell of pain he quickly rolled to his stomach and arched his back. He was definitely alive. But he didn't know how long he'd last with this pain. Suddenly he heard a loud wet ripping sound coming from his head and back. After a few painful minutes it stopped leaving him panting on the ground.

Time passed as he rested before changing a look at himself. His body was covered in dark red fur. He didn't know if it was the blood or not. But it still kinda looked cool. His tail was a silvery color. His wings... OK. He had wings... legs? Claws... what? Slowly lifting a claw to his head he flinched at feeling something poke him. Horns... he had horns.

"What am I?" He croaked. Rubbing his throat he realized how thirsty he was and started to force himself to his feet... or at the least to all fours. As soon as he felt stable he started to... look for an exit... or water... The water was good. It was a slow journey and he saw a large pool of fresh water. And as soon as he got to it he dove in. He didn't care if he was alone or not. He needed this.

As he came up for air he swallowed a mouthful of the soothing liquid and looked around. Once he noticed that he wasn't alone, he froze and gulped. Keeping his eyes on the newcomer's feet he spoke softly. "Hi... ummm... I'm sorry. I was thirsty and didn't know if this water belonged to anyone..."

"Then count yourself lucky my brother didn't catch you." The creator replied in a gruff yet feminine voice. "So. Are you going to explain why there's blood everywhere?"

"Would you believe I just grew my horns and wings today."

She didn't reply at first. After a few moments she held out a claw. "Judging from what I saw? Actually I can. Feeling better?"

Taking her claw he smiled. "Ya.... kinda..."

"Name's Smolder. You can try and explain what's going on over breakfast. Hope you like jems." She laughed.

"I'm.... I...." He stopped and blinked. "I... don't remember my name." Smolder stopped and looked back at him. After realizing he had yet to actually look at her she started to notice how true his statement probably was.

"Ya... we need to get you to Ember.... or Twilight."

"Who?"

"Later." She sighed, wrapping her tail around his neck to pull him along. "Food first. I got a feeling you'll need meat too... or some apples. If we have any."

She pulled him down some tunnels before quickly pushing him onto a rock to sit. Before he can protest she dumped a pile of gems in front of him. Followed quickly by some apples and slabs of meat. "Eat up. You need to regain your strength." She ordered.

With a timid nod he began to eat. First he tried a few gems... "not bad." He replied before going to the apples. "Juicy..." finally he turned to the meat. He noticed it was lightly cooked and slowly took a bite. As he chewed his eyes widened and found himself chowing down till there was nothing left.

After he was done eating he licked his lips and idly drank a glass of milk he found on the table. It was... sweet... rich... full body... "good..." He looked up at the dragon as an orange and yellow female with what looked like violent scales a few years younger than him with a rather cute blush... wait. Why was she blushing?

"I'm glad you liked it... I cooked the meat myself and made the..." She muttered the last part a bit too quietly to hear but that didn't stop the signs for telling.

"The milk... was from... your..." He stammered. Upon seeing her nod he gulped before slowly settling the glass down. "Maybe I should go before that brother of yours finds out."

"It's fine." She countered. "Dragon milk is good for when your horns grow in... besides. I still have to take you to Ember. "

"Who's Ember anyway?" He asked getting up and follow her to the moth of the cave.

"She's the leader.... wait." She stopped and facepalmed. "It'll be easier if I just call her." A moment later Smolder blew a pillar of fire into the air for a few moments before turning to him looking him over in the light. "Cool. You're part pony."

Blinking he looked himself over again in the light. Sure enough his once dark red fur, now looked light red. Lifting his claws he looked them over before attempting to stand on his hind legs. An act that felt... nice.

Several minutes passed and two dragons arrived. An angry looking red dragon and a more concerned blue dragon holding a staff. "What's the big idea sis? I was about to make my move." The red male groaned, to which the blue female simply rolled her eyes.

"For the last time, Garble. I'm not going to be your mate." The female with the staff groaned. "Ok Smolder. What's up... who's he?"

"He doesn't know his name." Smolder explained. "In fact. Other than waking up and getting his wings and horns today. He doesn't know anything." Ember thought as Garble looked like he was about to explode.

Taking a deep breath the red dragon turned to the young man. "Look. I'm going to be nice because my sister seems to like you. So here's some advice. Get out of the dragon lands."

"GAR GAR!" Smolder snapped.

"No... he's right." Ember sighed. "He'll be safer with them. Unless..."

"No... I am not leaving my sister in the claws of a welp who knows even less about us than the pony lover." Garble spat.

"Well it's either she stays with him or you carry him to Ponyville." Ember shrugged.

"But... he hasn't even..."

"He had a glass of my milk." Smolder confused sheepishly.

Garble's eye twitched. "Fresh?" She nodded. "In a glass I hope." Another nod. Garble sighed and ran a claw down his muzzle. "Fine. He can stay... only long enough to learn the basics. But after that you escort him to the ponies. Deal?"

Ember smirked knowing as Smolder nodded. "Deal. And don't worry. We'll come up with a name in the meantime." Smolder replied before leading the young boy to a nearby cave. "This is my place. My brother only comes by when our parents are in town. So unless he feels like ditching his friends. He won't show up much." She explained leading the way in. As the young man stepped in he caught the scent of vanilla... a sweet and rich smell... mixed with... lavender.

Author's Note

Ok... I'll probably be doing a little game with this and see what people think the old traditions are that aren't as common. Or I might do a guess what will happen next type thing. Maybe a bit of bothe. So what the hay. What do you think is the tradition? And what'll happen next?